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It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so

early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to

Mr. Gardiner's door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching

their arrival: when they entered the passage, she was there to

welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was

pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the stairs

were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their

cousin's appearance would not allow them to wait in the

drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a

twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and

kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in

bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.