Didn't I say he'd come, Biddy ?--Piers, this is my wife, Bridget the best wife living in all the four quarters of the world!" Mrs.Otway had risen, and stood smiling, the picture of cordiality.

She was not a beauty, though the black hair broad-flung over her shoulders made no common adornment; but her round, healthy face, with its merry eyes and gleaming teeth, had an honest attractiveness, and her soft Irish tongue went to the heart.

It never occurred to her to apologise for the disorderly state of things.

Having got rid of her fractious baby--not without a kiss--she took the other child by the hand and with pride presented "My daughter Leonora"-- a name which gave Piers a little shock of astonishment.
"Sit down, Piers," shouted her husband.

"First we'll have tea and talk; then we'll have talk and tobacco; then we'll have dinner and talk again, and after that whatever the gods please to send us.