The Heir Of Bendersleigh ; Or , The Freemason's Promise.

ment . The merry laugh grows louder and more general . Every heart is light , and m the midst of the gay joyous scene , Sir . Eaker seems to forget his pride and Ins conceit ; and Sirs . Puffier Smirke steps down to a level with more ordinary mortals . The joke goes gaily round , and toasts are proposed , and healths drunk , and all are merry in themselves .

i * i-s nave a dance , cries Mrs . William Chasey . "Ah , let ' s have a dance , exclaimed one of the cousins , jumping up , but in the effort , slipping backwards into one of the great dishes which contained the pie . Loud was the laughter at the cousin ' s mishap , rendered still louder when the unfortunate cousin , turning round , displayed the marks which the greasy ingredients of the pie had left upon his nether garments . " Well , let ' s have the dance , then , " said Sir . Eaker .

And so the couples were arranged—the accordion , which had already done duty on the hill , was brought out , and the dance commenced , and was kept up on the green turf with spirit and with glee . The stately quadrille soon gave way to the more rattling and more homely country dancebonnets and coats were thrown off ; and unalloyed enjoyment seemed to revel upon that sylvan scene . MrsPuffier Smirke threw off her

. spectacles , and enjoyed the sport , dancing with Sir . Eaker , ivhom she seemed determined not to leave . At length they became tired , and the party was divided . One set danced while the other rested , in order to prolong the gay delight .

. Now , Jacob , ' said Eachel , "hand the wine about ; " and she gave him a tray on which had been arranged stout glasses , for the revellers . " Must I give it to them as is a doncing ? " inquired Jacob . "Them as is a doncing ! No !"•replied Eachel , mimicking her fellowservant— " why don't you say dencing , " whispered she into Jacob ' s ear . " Give us the tray" said Jacobrather contemptuousland he hurried

, , y , off to hand the refreshments round ; but , unluckily , as he was passing the dancers , Mr . Eaker caught Jacob ' s toe , and threw him , tray and all , right on to the player of the accordion ; and both , accompanied by the tray ' and the glasses , rolled over in the grass .

lhis ot course put a general stop to the dancing , and as soon as the unfortunates had been raised , a shout ' of laughter rang through the air . . Jacob , scratching his head , looked down upon the spot where he had been tripped up , and gazed at it as though there were some mystery hidden there , which he fain would fathom . Suddenly it was discovered that it was growing lateand therefore all

, haste was made to clear the things away and prepare for home . The gay party strolled along the side of the lull towards the little public-house * where their conveyance had been left , while Jacob aud Eachel brought up the rear , with the remains of the day ' s feast .

Arrived at the little hostelry , the horses were soon attached to the carriage in the yard . The driver , ivho appeared to have been in a little pic-nicing too , solemnly adjusted the harness upon the leader ' s neck , and then gathering the reins in his left hand , between his fore finger and thumb , and with the whip in his ri ght hand , he brought the vehicle round to the front of the house with a dash ,