第79部分(第8/8 頁)

acle　of　the　smartest　innovations。　Still　some　novelty　was　necessary；　to　give　to　their　return　the　piquancy　with　which　I　wished　it　to　be　invested。　Dark　handsome　new　carpets　and　curtains；　an　arrangement　of　some　carefully　selected　antique　ornaments　in　porcelain　and　bronze；　new　coverings；　and　mirrors；　and　dressing…cases；　for　the　toilet　tables；　answered　the　end：　they　looked　fresh　without　being　glaring。　A　spare　parlour　and　bedroom　I　refurnished　entirely；　with　old　mahogany　and　crimson　upholstery：　I　laid　canvas　on　the　passage；　and　carpets　on　the　stairs。　When　all　was　finished；　I　thought　Moor　House　as　plete　a　model　of　bright　modest　snugness　within；　as　it　was；　at　this　season；　a　specimen　of　wintry　waste　and　desert　dreariness　without。

The　eventful　Thursday　at　length　came。　They　were　expected　about　dark；　and　ere　dusk　fires　were　lit　upstairs　and　below；　the　kitchen　was　in　perfect　trim；　Hannah　and　I　were　dressed；　and　all　was　in　readiness。

St。　John　arrived　first。　I　had　entreated　him　to　keep　quite　clear　of　t