The next day was devoted by our party to a pious pilgrimage to the shrine of classic Monticello, once the seat, now the monument of Thomas Jefferson.
The whole party, young and old, gentlemen and ladies, went.
The bishop's widow forgot her housekeeping cares and took a holiday for that day.
And even Mrs. Fanning, who did not care to see the great University, could not miss the opportunity of a pilgrimage to that mecca.
The party was a large one, consisting of five ladies and four gentlemen.
And so it required two capacious carriages and two saddle horses to convey them.
They formed quite a little procession in leaving the village.
In the first carriage rode Mrs. Fanning, Emma Cavendish, Electra and Dr.
Jones.
In the second carriage rode Mrs. Wheatfield, Laura Lytton and Mr. Lyle.
Alden Lytton and Victor Hartman rode on horseback, and brought up the rear.
Their way lay through the most sublime and beautiful mountain and valley scenery.
Monticello is built upon a mountain, some three miles south of the village.
Perhaps there is no private dwelling in the whole country occupying a more elevated site, or commanding a more magnificent panorama of landscape, than Monticello.
It is a fine country house of great architectural beauty and strength, built upon a lofty and slightly inclined plain, formed by grading the top of the mountain.
It commands a stupendous prospect, bounded only by the spherical form of the earth. And standing there, with the earth beneath and the heavens all around, one fully realizes that we live upon a great planet rolling in its orbit through immense space.
Our party spent a long summer's day up there in the sunshine, and then, after eating the luncheon they had brought with them, they set out on their return to the village, where they arrived in time for one of Mrs.
Wheatfield's delicious early teas.
The remaining days of the week were passed in walking, riding or driving to the most interesting points of the neighborhood.
On Saturday morning they took leave of the bishop's widow and set out for Richmond, _en route_ for Wendover and Blue Cliffs.
They reached the city late on the same night, and took up their old quarters at the Henrico House.
They staid over the Sabbath, and went to hear Mr. Lyle preach, morning and evening, to his old congregation.
On Monday morning the whole party resumed their journey, and arrived at Wendover early in the afternoon of the same day.
There the party were destined to divide.
There were carriages from Blue Cliffs waiting by appointment at the railway station to meet Miss Cavendish and her friends; and there was the hack from the Reindeer Hotel for the accommodation of any other travelers who might require it.
Mrs. Fanning, Emma Cavendish, Laura Lytton and Electra, attended by Dr.
Jones and Alden Lytton, entered their carriages to go to Blue Cliff Hall.
Mr. Lyle and Victor Hartman took leave of them at their carriage doors, saw the horses start, and then set out to walk together to the bachelor home of Mr. Lyle, where Hartman was to be a guest.
CHAPTER XXI.
AT THE PARSONAGE.
Mr. Lyle lived in a pretty white cottage, covered nearly to the roof with fragrant creeping vines, and standing in the midst of a beautiful flower-garden.
Here he lived his bachelor life quite alone but for the occasional sight of the old negro couple that were waiting on him--Aunt Nancy, who did all his housework, and Uncle Ned, who worked in the garden.
He found the faithful old couple prepared to receive him and his guest.
A tempting repast, combining the attractions of dinner and tea, was ready to be placed upon the table just as soon as the gentlemen should have made their toilets after their long journey.
Mr. Lyle led his guest into a fresh, pretty room, with white muslin curtains at the vine-clad windows and a white dimity spread on the bed, and white flower enameled cottage furniture completing the appointments.
"This is a room for a pretty girl rather than for a grim miner," said Victor Hartman, looking admiringly around the little apartment.
"I call it the 'Chamber of Peace,' and that is why I put you in it,"
said Mr. Lyle.
After they had washed and dressed they went down together to the cozy little dining-room, where they did such justice to the tea-dinner as made Aunt Nancy's heart crow for joy.
And when that was over they went into the snug little parlor and sat down to talk over their plans.
It was then that Mr. Lyle informed Victor Hartman that he was doing all the work of the parish during Dr. Goodwin's hopeless indisposition, and that he had been doing it for the last twelve months.
"You will succeed him here as rector, I presume?" said Victor.
"I presume so; but I do not like to speak of that," gravely replied Mr.
Lyle.
"No, of course you do not. And I really beg your pardon. I should not have spoken myself, only in my girl's interests. You see, I felt a little curious and anxious to know where her future life would be likely to be passed, and I thought it would be a much happier life if passed here, near her dear friend Miss Cavendish, that's all," explained Victor.
"You seem to consider that quite a settled matter," replied Mr. Lyle, a little incoherently, and blushing like a maiden.
"Yes, of course I consider it all quite settled! You, in your earnestness, can not conceal your liking for my girl, and she, in her innocent frankness, does not even try to conceal hers from you. And I heartily approve the match and am ready to dower the bride," said Victor.
"But I have not ventured to speak to her yet," stammered Mr. Lyle.
"Then you may do so just as soon as you please," answered Victor.
"And now about Alden," said Mr. Lyle, by way of changing the conversation.
"Yes, now about Alden. He does not suspect that I am his banker, I hope?"