"we cannot accuse you of concealing your plans and intentions, bold as they are. But, since we are all on a footing, except Spencer, who has the advance of us, let us agree, that, whoever is the happy man, he shall give his disappointed rivals a ball and supper, to console them for the loss of the lady."

"And I," said Spencer, with quickness, "that the rivals should give a brace of bullets in return."

"That would be ball for ball," said Ashley, with gaiety, observing Spencer's humour, and wishing to turn the affair off as a jest." It would be paying the chosen lover in his own coin."

His friendly intention had the desired effect. Spencer had thus time to recover his temper; and, feeling angry at himself for treating the jest with seriousness, he made an attempt to join in the conversation, secretly vowing that he would not again give his brother officers the satisfaction of knowing that he was annoyed by

their raillery on the subject of his attachment to Ellinor.

Willoughby," said Brooke, "don't you think we were treated rather shabbily, in not being invited to walk in by Miss Lennox? This piece of civility could scarcely be avoided after our gallantry; and when we were at the very door, I never supposed she would have omitted this politeness. But both the ladies seemed determined not to admit us within their habitation.-Spencer, did you give them a hint on the subject ?"

"I can tell you," said Willoughby," what prevented our gaining admittance within the enchanted castle.-It was neither more nor less than a look from a pair of fine eyes which have nearly turned the head of poor Ashley. I was a little provoked by it, but more amused. The lady imagined it passed unnoticed; but she little knew what an observing fellow was beside her. Another moment, and the invitation would have been given, for my fair companion had just got the length of Won't you-?' when her

speech was suddenly arrested by the aforesaid look, and, as a woman is never at a loss for a word, she turned it off by adding,"Feel a little tired with your long walk?'— I should like much to know the meaning of the look the other lady gave. I wonder if Sir Thomas is an enemy to our cloth? But he cannot, when he allows Spencer to be a constant visitor. I shall take any bet it was some whim of your little dark-eyed prude. I suppose she thought it would be indecorous to invite three bold dragoons within doors, until they had all been formally introduced to papa and mamma. Did she favour you, Brooke, with any sweet converse? I was so engrossed by her more beautiful companion, who, I assure you, contrived to keep both Spencer and myself in play, that I had neither time nor attention to bestow on you; but I thought you were rather humdrum."

"Why," said Brooke, "mortifying as the confession is, candour obliges me to declare, that I have no reason to boast of

the encouragement I received; for my companion, far from appearing to feel the least grateful for the service we had rendered her cousin and herself, seemed ruminating how to get quit of us ;—and when all danger was over, and we still persisted in favouring them with our company, her displeasure became pretty visible; and I am convinced, from the expression of her countenance, that she was on the point of wishing us good morning, when we most fortunately encountered Spencer. I must do her the justice, however, to say, that, so soon as the introduction took place, she condescended to unbend; but, if I am any judge of character, he is a bold man who will presume to use any familiarity with Miss Dundas. His first attempt would be the last; for she seems to possess that self-respect, and that propriety of conduct, so admired by our sex, and which, we know, effectually checks all impertinent freedoms. In general the Scotch girls are so devilish proud, we poor strangers have little chance among them,

unless we have the good fortune to bring cart-loads of introductory letters, and it is not every one who will choose to carry a petition for a dinner in his pocket. Those sort of letters always appear to me to say, 'Please admit the bearer to a good dinner, and as much wine as he can conveniently carry away with him.'

"I don't know how the deuce you are so fond of Miss Dundas," said Willoughby, "when you have just acknowledged that she was barely civil to you. It is not often we can praise those who treat us rudely. It will be a pretty thing, indeed, if you two turn-coats leave Spencer and myself to fight the battle out! You surely must allow that Miss Lennox is by far the most beautiful of the two, and that her manners are extremely engaging ?”

66

"I grant you all that," said Brooke.

But, were I her husband, I should not relish those beautiful smiles bestowed on any save her lord and master; and I fear she would wish to have a good many ad