ery handsome and intelligent countenance, * I should like very much to know, Ellinor, whether your extreme anxiety to go to Hope Street, proceeds from a wish to study my comfort or convenience, or your eagerness to have a daily peep at those handsome mustachoed dragoons who parade upon the sands? Come," he said, resuming, in some degree, his good-humour, "I will have the vanity to suppose that my comfort is the principal motive."

“And I am certain you are right in your supposition," said Catherine, willing to relieve the embarrassment of her cousin, “I am confident you are right in your conjectures; for you are well aware, my dear uncle, that your happiness has always been, and still is, the first consideration of all your family."

"And not of my family only," said Sir Thomas, good-humouredly pressing her hand.

"Whatever you may do," rejoined Catherine, while a tear stole down her cheek,

"I consider myself as one of your family. I, at least, have known no other home-no other parent."

"Come, come, Catherine," replied Sir Thomas," banish these intruders-melancholy recollections. Don't damp my spirits with that tear. We cannot recall those whom Heaven has taken from us; but while that Heaven grants me life, the orphan of my Ellinor shall never want a parent or a home!"

This was more than Catherine could bear, and she burst into tears.

"Catherine!" exclaimed Lady Lennox, in the utmost surprise; "Catherine, my love, why do you cry so, when Sir Thomas has just told you he will be a parent to you? One would really imagine, from your distress, that he had said he did not care for you. How strange you should cry, because Sir Thomas says he will be kind to you!"

Sir Thomas looked at his wife, and, with a bitter sigh, recollected his love, nay, ado

ration, his hopes, his expectations, and, alas! his disappointment.

Catherine soon calmed her agitation; and hardly was her composure restored when they entered P

CHAPTER II.

Thus argued my Lady, but argued in vain ;
The Knight his opinion resolved to maintain.

SWIFT.

"GEORGE," said Sir Thomas, stretching his head out of the window; " George, stop at the Post-office, and inquire who lets houses here. But, George," again said his impatient master, at the same time blocking up the window of the carriage, and treading on his lady's foot," are you quite certain you know where the Post-office is ?"

"I will soon find it out, sir," answered George.

"But you may as well inquire at some of those people who are passing. We may hunt up and down the whole town before we find it.-I say, good woman," bawling to a fishwoman who was passing; "I say,

good woman, do you know where the Postoffice is ?"

"Oh! papa," said Ellinor,

" can't you

allow George or William to inquire? I am sure there can be no difficulty in finding out a place that must be so well known."

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"Hush!" said Sir Thomas, not well pleased to be thus found fault with, when he thought he deserved great praise for the active part he had taken ; " will you not hold that prating tongue, until I hear what the woman says?—I say, good woman," he once more began, can you tell me where the

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Post-office is ?"

"What's your will, sir?" answered the fishwoman, not having heard the question that was asked.

"Where is the Post-office ?" exclaimed all three at the same moment, viz. Sir Thomas, George, and William.

“If you will speak ane at a time," said the woman," I think I might ken what you're saying."