CHAPTER VIII.
THE PARAGON'S PARTY AT BRAGTON.
There was certainly a great deal of fuss made about John Morton's return to the home of his ancestors,--made altogether by himself and those about him, and not by those who were to receive him.

On the Thursday in the week following that of which we have been speaking, two carriages from the Bush met the party at the Railway Station and took them to Bragton.

Mr.Runciman, after due consideration, put up with the inconsiderate nature of the order given, and supplied the coaches and horses as required,--consoling himself no doubt with the reflection that he could charge for the unreasonableness of the demand in the bill.

The coachman and butler had come down two days before their master, so that things might be in order.

Mrs.Hopkins learned from the butler that though the party would at first consist only of three, two other very august persons were to follow on the Saturday,--no less than Lady Augustus Trefoil and her daughter Arabella.