drawing-room. Her ladyship thought it would be cold. But Sir Thomas said, that that was a very great advantage, particularly in summer. Lady Lennox thought there was little enough heat in this coun try even in summer, and that people should always choose houses in warm situations.

It will be in favour of the coal-merchants," replied Sir Thomas.—“ We must just have good fires.”—Her ladyship considered this a very useless consumption of coals, particularly if it could be avoided by procuring a house in a warmer exposure.

At length, to the great relief of the cousins, the welcome and unexpected arrival of another party to look at the house terminated this debate.

"Is this the drawing-room?" inquired one of the ladies.

Mr Chapel answered in the affirmative.

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What an ill-finished room it appears to be! I should imagine that the roof would not keep out rain; the plaster seems to have given way."

B 2

Lady Lennox glanced at the roof, and then, in triumph, at the baronet.

This house will never do," continued the speaker, who seemed to have her spouse under petticoat-government. "I would not inhabit such an ill-finished dwelling, were I to sit rent-free."

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“But you know, my dear," said one of the gentlemen, who, from the subdued tone in which what he said was uttered, appeared to be her hen-pecked better half; “ you know we could easily get the plaster repaired, if that is your only objection to the house."

"But I prefer," rejoined the lady, "having a house, the plaster of which does not require repairing."

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The remark of the stranger proved more efficacious in preventing Sir Thomas taking the house, than all the arguments and persuasions of his wife and family. And saying to Mr Chapel, that he was very doubtful if it would suit, he once more led the

Tay to the carriage, and ordered it to be driven to Hope Street.

Hardly were they again seated, when Sir Thomas, who was much piqued that his lady should have triumphed over him, began by saying, "Do you know who these people are whom we left behind? The lady seems a bit of a vixen. What the devil should women know about plaster, or whether a house is well or ill finished? I wonder if she studied her business under a builder. I should like to be that madam's husband for a few weeks."

Lady Lennox muttered something which sounded very like assenting most heartily to the baronet's wish, as the last words "You cannot wish it more fervently than I do."-But this ejaculation only reached the ear of Catherine, who was seated by her side.

were,

To Hope Street they drove, and stopped at a neat small house, the bow-window of which attracted the attention of the cousins.

"Don't you like the appearance of that

house ?" said Catherine to Sir Thomas; " I was always fond of a bow-window." But Sir Thomas not partaking of Catherine's fondness for bow-windows, declared he thought them quite insufferable, and that, were there no other objection against the house, he would consider that a sufficient one to prevent him from taking it. However, he consented to look at it.-The dining-room was pronounced extremely dark and dismal-the drawing-room more cheerful; but when they came to examine the bedrooms, they were found so few, and those a few so very small, that the house with the bow-window was obliged to be relinquished; and they now drove down the street to a fashionable-looking house, where Mr Chapel again awaited them.

"I hope this house will do," whispered Ellinor to Catherine; "I like the appearance of it very much." much." On entering, they found a tolerably good dining-room, against which no objections having been raised by either Sir Thomas or his lady, the cousins

ere in hopes that a house had at last been Sund to please both husband and wife. They next proceeded to the drawing-room. Ellinor being the first who entered it, after taking a peep from the window, desired Catherine to look at the charming view which it commanded; adding, " It overlooks the Bath Court, and we shall have all the gaiety under our eye. Papa must certainly take this house."

“Well, Ellinor," said Catherine, "did not I tell you there was nothing like having a little patience?-But, hush! I think I hear Sir Thomas rather loud. What can be the matter?"

"Oh, Catherine !" cried Ellinor, "do go and see what is the matter, and try to get mamma to come here. Say I wish her to look at the drawing-room. Or stay, perhaps I had better go with you, and bring her away myself. What can they have quarrelled about? We should not have left them together; but, indeed, I thought they