at my elbow? You look incredulous, Miss Kennedy, but I assure you, that what I say is true-nay, further, I have heard things while shut up within it, which, did I repeat, would make your hair stand on end !"

On hearing this speech, Miss Kennedy began to think that the whole Lennox family were in a combination to torment her; and such was her shame and mortification on believing her mal-practices discovered, (observe, we do not say that she regretted her faults,-only their detection,) that she resolved to turn over a new leaf; but this leaf, like some other that we have known, happened, unluckily, to be blown back again. Indeed, Miss Kennedy was so dispirited at the events of the evening, that for a full quarter of an hour she was quite unable to ask a single question, which will abundantly show how very much she was discomposed. At the expiration of that time, however, she rallied her forces, and conscious that her acquaintance

with the Lennoxes was likely to cease, she determined, as quadrille players say, to go the vole, and accordingly watched for an opportunity of introducing the stage-coach adventure, and resolved to bring upon Ellinor the whirlwind of Sir Thomas's wrath, even though she also should suffer in the

storm.

The tea equipage being removed, Ellinor, from a love of mischief, proposed that they should dance a quadrille. She was perfectly sure that neither Mr nor Miss Stevens could dance quadrilles, but she anticipated much amusement in witnessing their awkward movements; and as the absurdity of the scene would not be complete unless Miss Kennedy also figured in it, she tried to prevail on her to join the party. But Miss Kennedy resisted all her entreaties, and Ellinor was forced to be contented with two victims. She persuaded Mr and Miss Stevens to stand up, telling them that to dance a quadrille was a very simple affair, and that she was certain they would

learn both figure and step in a few minutes; and, as Mr Stevens declared he would only dance provided she was his partner, Ellinor, not to lose the amusement she expected, put her dignity in her pocket, and agreed to his request. As there were only five of them, it was agreed that Catherine, Miss Stevens, and Charles, should dance without partners, and Ellinor desired the terrified girl to stand opposite to her, and do just as she did. They were now all ready to begin, when a question arose, who was to play to them; and, as they could not spare any of the quadrillers, they were obliged to have recourse to Miss Kennedy. But Miss Kennedy was not at all inclined to favour them with her sweet notes, for three powerful reasons. She wished to see them dance; she knew they would ridicule her playing; and, though last not least, she wished to pick her ladyship's brains as to the truth of the report about the stage-coach. Influenced by such potent reasons, no wonder that she flatly refused compliance, and by

way of ending the matter at once, she declared that she never could play any quadrilles; and that the only tune she did play, "Over the Water to Charlie," which

would never suit.

66

my

"Over the Water to Charlie,” exclaimed Ellinor, in pretended raptures, dear Miss Kennedy, that is my favourite tune! Do give it to us, you can't think how admirably it suits the quadrille steps: see how well it does." And she cut a few capers while humming the tune. "Do, Mr Stevens, prevail on Miss Kennedy to indulge us; I am sure she can refuse you nothing."

Mr Stevens, flattered by the sudden and extreme condescension of the haughty beauty, approached Miss Kennedy, and very unceremoniously asked her, what thrawn fit she had taken-and why she would not oblige Miss Lennox and all of them? The polished elegance of Mr Stevens's harangue was backed by all the earnestness of Ellinor; and Miss Kennedy, for the sake of peace,

was forced to yield the point, but much against her inclination, as was abundantly testified by the sullen air with which she seated herself at the instrument.

The musician had just completed the first part of the tune, when Ellinor, according to custom, called out, " Commencez," and was in the act of stepping off, when their feet were arrested mid-way in air, by the blunder of Miss Kennedy, who, not comprehending the commencez, when she expected to hear the simple word "begin," became confused, and dashed into the third bar of the second part. pause for a few minutes,

There was a dead which was followCatherine, who

ed by a suppressed titter. was the first to regain composure, asked Miss Kennedy to have the goodness to begin again, and inquired what time it was, and how many were in the bar.

"I think I believe," said Miss Kennedy, with some hesitation," that there are four, but I am not quite sure."