VI. The Two Stand Face to Face

           Theroomhadbeenarrangedwithaviewtothedancing,thelargeoaktablehavingbeenmovedbacktillitstoodasabreastworktothefireplace.Ateachend,behind,andinthechimney-cornerweregroupedtheguests,manyofthembeingwarm-facedandpanting,amongwhomEustaciacursorilyrecognizedsomewell-to-dopersonsfrombeyondtheheath.Thomasin,asshehadexpected,wasnotvisible,andEustaciarecollectedthatalighthadshonefromanupperwindowwhentheywereoutside—thewindow,probably,ofThomasin’sroom.Anose,chin,hands,knees,andtoesprojectedfromtheseatwithinthechimneyopening,whichmembersshefoundtouniteinthepersonofGrandferCantle,Mrs.Yeobright’soccasionalassistantinthegarden,andthereforeoneoftheinvited.ThesmokewentupfromanEtnaofpeatinfrontofhim,playedroundthenotchesofthechimney-crook,struckagainstthesalt-box,andgotlostamongtheflitches.

           Anotherpartoftheroomsoonrivetedhergaze.Attheothersideofthechimneystoodthesettle,whichisthenecessarysupplementtoafiresoopenthatnothinglessthanastrongbreezewillcarryupthesmoke.Itis,tothehearthsofold-fashionedcavernousfireplaces,whattheeastbeltoftreesistotheexposedcountryestate,orthenorthwalltothegarden.Outsidethesettlecandlesgutter,locksofhairwave,youngwomenshiver,andoldmensneeze.InsideisParadise.Notasymptomofadraughtdisturbstheair;thesitters’backsareaswarmastheirfaces,andsongsandoldtalesaredrawnfromtheoccupantsbythecomfortableheat,likefruitfrommelonplantsinaframe.