"Any orders, your ladyship?"
"Yes, the landau is to be at the door to take us to St. Peter's in an
hour; at the close of mass we shall drive to the Duchess of Wyesdale,
with whom we lunch; further orders there. And here, Barnes," continued
Lady Esmondet, taking out her purse, "distribute this gold to the
household, excepting to Somers and Saunders, whom I shall attend to
personally; and see that no poor go empty-handed from the villa on
this, the Day of Days."
"Thank you, your ladyship, you are very kind, and we all wish you and
Mademoiselle a good Christmas."
"Thank you, Barnes."
"The man in bottle-green livery coming to the door," said Vaura, as
she left the breakfast-table, "is servant to our friend of Erin."
In a few moments Saunders brought her mistress a beautiful bouquet,
with the card of Sir Dennis, on which was written, "A merry Christmas
to Miss Vernon."
"What think you of the Irishman?" asked Lady Esmondet.
"Oh, I hardly know; he is a great good-natured creature; if his heart
be proportioned to the rest of his frame, the future Lady O'Gormon
will require to be intensely lovable.
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