My Brother Basil (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891. Excerpt: ... "Blest be the art that can immortalize."--Cowper. THE news of the Earl's return took every one by surprise, and, I think, my uncle most of all. He had always deplored Lord Otterbourne's absence, and declared that it was ruining Hazelford; while as for himself, it was absolutely painful to him to look at the empty castle, given over to an old housekeeper and a handful of servants, and contrast its present condition with the state that had been kept up in the late Earl's time; but for all that, now that he had got his wish, I am not sure that the surprise was entirely a pleasant one. Uncle Chayter had come to the age when change no longer seems the natural condition of life, and when it is seldom a welcome experience. Old men like to keep to their accustomed grooves, to make to-day as much as possible like yesterday, and to ensure as far as they can that the few to-morrows left to them shall differ but little from to-day. The Earl's coming could not but involve changes for every one in Hazelford, but most of all for Uncle Chayter. He would no longer be the autocrat of Hazelford, the dispenser of favours, the universal referee. The regent would have no place when the sovereign returned; the Earl's Agent would be a secondary person indeed when the flag that told of its owner's presence should float once more above the keep of Hazelford Castle. But, to do my uncle justice, I do not believe that considerations like these weighed for a moment against the loyal welcome he was prepared to give Lord Otterbourne, or had any share in the agitation he betrayed. He was agitated, certainly, as I could not but see. His fingers shook as he poured out his coffee, his voice shook as he invited me to join him, and when I explained that I had already breakfasted, I doubt if h...