Some loitered on the lawn by the flower-beds and the fountain; some visited the stables and the home-farm, with its cow-houses and dairy and piggeries; some the neglected greenhouses, and some the equally neglected old-fashioned alleys, with their clipped yews and their moss-grown statues.

No one belonging to the house was anywhere visible to receive them, until the great bell at length summoned them to the plentiful meal spread in the ruined hall.

"The hospitality of some people has no roof to it," Godfrey said, when he heard of the preparations.

"Ten people will give you a dinner, for one who will offer you a bed and a breakfast:" Then at last their host made his appearance, and took the head of the table: the ladies, he said, were to have the honor of joining the company afterward.

They were at the time--but this he did not say--giving another stratum of society a less ponderous, but yet tolerably substantial, refreshment in the dining-room.
By the time the eating and drinking were nearly over, the shades of evening had gathered; but even then some few of the farmers, capable only of drinking, grumbled at having their potations interrupted for the dancers.