From the time we had resided at Oakhill, our intercourse with Mr. Ascomy was in a great measure discontinued. On my part, although I had endured some provocation, there was no quarrel; but he, who had suffered none, was heated with a causeless resentment, the more intensely, as he could find nothing to warrant its injustice. I was therefore at no pains to soften his feelings, and I ought to add, that even while sensible he thought of me injuriously, I studiously avoided every thing likely to increase his animosity. But when he heard of our new retreat, he invited himself to spend a day with us; and my wife, from her knowledge of his character, expected that he was desirous to remove the coldness between us, and to re-establish our former cordiality.

On the day he had appointed, I was in readiness to receive him, resolved to do so as if there had never been any dryness between us; but when I met him at the gate, I was struck with an uncommon solemnity in his looks; he spoke scarcely a word to my welcome, but casting a hasty glance on the house, he hastened into the parlour, and seated himself without heeding the children, who rejoiced at seeing him, or taking the slightest notice of Mrs. Corbet.

Conduct so singular surprised us both, and it was so totally different from what my wife had anticipated, that she could not repress her emotion.