his baton of office, in his hand, presented with profound salaams a note to Miss Percy, by which she learnt that Mrs. Russell's carriage was in waiting to convey her and her sister to their friends, who were anxiously expecting their arrival. Similar attentions had been paid to the other ladies, and they all got into the boat together, and were quickly rowed to the ghaut,* amongst a crowd of budgerows and boats of every description, and natives, waist-deep in the water, performing their religious ceremonies, and saying their prayers, with as much steadiness and gravity as if there was nothing to disturb their attention or attract their notice. On reaching the shore they found that Indian hospitality had also provided for the conveyance of their baggage. Had their minds been more disengaged they would have found much to interest them; at present each had her own subject of thought, independent of surrounding objects. Miss Percy felt that she was in a * Landing place. + Boats fitted up for the accommodation of voyagers. strange land, amongst strangers, and earnestly wished for Colonel Howard's presence to welcome and re-assure her. Elizabeth felt that she would now hear of Bently; and what the tidings were to be, whether good or evil, was her constant thought. CHAPTER V. This ancient City Sits amidst Nature's smiles! Nor from her highest minaret has to view But golden landscapes and luxurious scenes; A waste of wealth, the store-house of the world! A warrior of Khorassan once observed, upon seeing Calcutta, "What a charming place this would be to plunder !" and certainly, to those who like such employment, few places would better repay the trouble. Miss Percy, as the carriage drove rapidly along, was inclined in a different form to parody the exclamation, and say, "What a charming place this must be to live in! how spacious! how imposing!" They stopped at a handsome mansion in Chouringhee, and were handed from the carriage, and cordially welcomed by Mr. Russell, a gentlemanlike, well-bred, something more than middleaged man, who, offering an arm to each, conducted them up stairs, mid a crowd of servants making profound salaams, and presented them to Mrs. Russell. She was seated on a crimson damask couch, under the punkah, before a sofa table, upon which stood a magnificent writingdesk, a silver writing tray, and a quantity of embossed French paper. Two chaprassys, with their silver sticks, stood behind, ready to execute her commands. She rose to meet her sister's nieces, received them with the greatest kindness, and taking a hand of each, seated them by her on the couch, evidently delighted with their manners and appearance. Mrs. Russell's practised eye instantly comprehended all the agrémens of society in the air and deportment of these young ladies; and, judge as she was of elegance and beauty, she had seldom been more satisfied, perhaps never, except when she stood before her own swing-glass. Her reception was cordial in proportion as she felt it to be entirely warranted by good taste. Nothing could go beyond the interest with which she inquired into all the particulars of their disastrous voyage. Her dear brother, Colonel Howard, had told in her how barbarously they were plundered; she had that morning had the gratification of receiving one of his delightful letters, full of affectionate concern for them. He was with the army the field, in perfect health and spirits, and she trusted would be able to join their party before the cold weather was quite over. Having perfectly convinced herself that neither of her sweet young friends had suffered in health from the rough treatment they had experienced, she conducted them to the apartments which had been prepared for their reception; and ordering her own ayah,* a native Portuguese, who spoke a little disjointed English, to see the baggage brought up, added, "My dear Miss Percy, I shall now leave you for an hour to take my evening drive; at night I shall have the pleasure of introducing some friends to your acquaintance, whom I expect here to dinner." Though Charlotte and Elizabeth had not much inclination to make their début amongst strangers without a little previous rest, they directly, with the as * Waiting-woman. |