The doctor comes in with his letters for the post, and apostrophizes Valentine with a harmless clerical joke.

Vance solemnly touches up the already perfect arrangement of the luncheon table.

The clock strikes twelve.

A faint meek ring is heard at the Rectory bell.
Vance struts slowly to the door, when--Heaven and earth! are no conventions held sacred by these painters of pictures ?--Mr.Blyth dashes past him with a shout of "Here they are!" and flies into the hall to answer the gate himself.

Vance turns solemnly round towards his master, trembling and purple in the face, with an appealing expression, which says plainly enough:--"If _you_ mean to stand this sort of outrage, sir, I beg most respectfully to inform you that _I_ don't." The rector bursts out laughing; the young ladies follow his example; the Newfoundland dog jumps up, and joins in with his mighty bark.