The huge chimney had suffered
some inhospitable contraction, and was surmounted with marble; and
huge settees, glittering with gilding and satin, which in their turn
would now be displaced by the hand of Gillow or Oakley, had
dispossessed the tall straight backed-chairs, which in the olden
times must have inflicted martyrdom on the persons of our weary
forefathers.
The present visit of Lord Greville to the Cross, was supposed to
originate in the dangerous illness of an old and favourite female
servant, who had held undisturbed control over the household since
the death of the first Lady Greville about ten years before. She had
been from her infancy attached to the family service, and having
married a retainer of the house, had been nurse to Lord Greville,
whom she still regarded with something of a maternal affection.
Her husband had died the preceding year; equally lamented by the
master whom he served, and the domestics whom he ruled; and his wife
was now daily declining, and threatening to follow her aged partner
to the grave. It was imagined by the other members of the
establishment, that the old lady had written to her master, with
whom she frequently corresponded, to entreat a personal interview,
in order that she might resign her "steward-ship" into his hands
before her final release from all earthly cares and anxieties; and
in consideration of the length and importance of her services, none
were surprised at the readiness with which her request was granted.
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