Though Robert was not there, many of the Boltons were present, as was also Uncle Babington.

He had come over on the preceding evening, making on this occasion his first journey to Folking since his wife's sister had died; and the old squire was there in very good humour, though he excused himself from going to the church by explaining that as he had no duty to perform he would only be in the way amongst them all.

Daniel and Mrs.Bolton had also been at Folking that night, and had then for the first time been brought into contact with the Babington grandeur.

The party had been almost gay, the old squire having taken some delight in what he thought to be the absurdities of his brother-in-law.

Mr.Babington himself was a man who was joyous on most occasions and always gay on such an occasion as this.
He had praised the mother, and praised the baby, and praised the house of Folking generally, graciously declaring that his wife looked forward to the pleasure of making acquaintance with her new niece, till old Mr.
Caldigate had been delighted with these manifestations of condescension.
'Folking is a poor place,' said he, 'but Babington is really a country-house.' 'Yes,' replied the other squire, much gratified, 'Babington is what you may call really a good country-house.' You had to laugh very hard at him before you could offend Uncle Babington.