some people have no patience. It seems, then, that this Spencer had asked the young ladies to a public breakfast at the Barracks; but Sir Thomas and Lady Lennox, not thinking it proper to trust two giddy girls among such a wild set of officers, or, as some people say, because they were not included in the invitation themselves, would not allow them to go. The captain, however, determined that the refusal of papa and mamma should not daunt him, and finding that the misses were as ready to go as he was to ask them, it was agreed that he should meet them at the head of Hope Street, and go in the coach with them to the scene of action. So far all went well; but scarcely were they seated when the conversation happened to turn on mustachies, which you know all these dragoons wear; and the old gentleman, without thinking what he was saying, or observing that his travelling companion had a pair of mustachies as black as the beard of a Jew, remarked, that, in his opinion, mustachies made

men appear more like ruffians and assassins than British soldiers; on which the officer in a terrible fury pulled out his card, which he threw in the old gentleman's face, and demanded his name and address.

"The fierce looks of the man of war," continued Miss Kennedy, "so confounded the poor old gentleman, that it was with great difficulty he faltered out that he had no card, and did not know what he meant by demanding his name. When this bully saw the fright the old man was in, he became more outrageous than ever, and swore that if he did not that moment produce his card, and promise him the satisfaction of a gentleman for the insult he had given, he would hew him to pieces on the spot; though, he observed, it was not a piece of work he liked to do in the presence of ladies. On hearing this, Miss Lennox and Miss Dundas were in great alarm, and with tears and entreaties begged for their sakes he would desist from seeking such bloody revenge; and each seizing a hand, declared if he did not

give them his solemn promise not to carry matters further, they would break their engagement and return home. This had the effect of calming Captain Spencer, and he at length gave the promise demanded, but with very ill will; and Mrs Lauder said she was thankful when the coach stopped at the barracks, where they got out; and she says that the old gentleman has been bedridden ever since, and that it is doubtful if he will ever recover."

"It could not be Captain Spencer who was with them," said Miss Barton, "for his hair and mustachios are of a light brown, and you said just now that the officer's were as black as jet. I don't think your story hangs well together."

"I know some people who would hang a great deal better," retorted the indignant Miss Kennedy. "I say, that I met Captain Spencer at the Lennoxes', and I maintain that his hair is as black as mine."

"If his hair is like yours," replied her opponent, "it should be of the pepper-and

salt description; did you ever see that colour, Miss Kennedy?"

The enraged Miss Kennedy was some time ere she could find words in which to vent her wrath. At last she broke forth, "None of your base insinuations, madamI despise your impertinence-if I have pepper in my hair, it is better than having it in my temper-at any rate, whatever its colour may be, it is my own.—I am not like some people-I, at least, can tell to whose head my hair belongs."

"Miss Kennedy! Miss Barton!" interposed Miss Macdonald, "you surely don't mean seriously to quarrel in my house?-let me persuade you to be friends;-I beseech you to consider the consequence before you proceed to extremities-think what a story this will make if it should by any chance get abroad-so take my advice, and shake hands."

"It's an old saying," remarked Mrs Smith, "that one marriage leads to another; but on this occasion we may say that

one quarrel has produced another; and this is certainly the most extraordinary of the two, for the Lennox quarrel was between strangers, but this is between two very old friends. Little did I think when I rose this morning, that before the end of the day Miss Kennedy and Miss Barton would be at open war; it's fearful to think what may happen even in an hour."

"I don't see,” replied Miss Barton, who did not appear to be at all inclined for pacific measures-"I don't see what right Miss Kennedy has to say that I wear false hair. I suppose she will tell me next that my teeth are not my own."

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"Your fears on that head," replied Miss Kennedy, with a supercilious smile, are quite groundless; I know them by their bite."

"Miss Kennedy! Miss Barton!" again interposed Miss Macdonald, "consider what you are about; this quarrel will be over the whole village before another hour is pastdo listen to the sincerest of your friends.