Surprised at Ellinor's absence, Catherine went in search of her, and found her in bed, just awakened from a very comfortable nap, in which she had been indulging. " Are you not ashamed, Ellinor, of spending your Sundays in this manner?"

"Not in the least," she replied, with a yawn; "I felt horridly sleepy after dinner, and thought I might as well come to bed as sit yawning in the drawing-room till tea was ready. But either I was dreaming, or there was an unusual noise below. I actually imagined I heard Clara screaming like a fury was it so, or did I dream it ?"

"You must have slept sound indeed, if you have any doubt upon the subject."

"Then there was an uproar?-Now, do tell me all about it, for I am dying with curiosity to hear what occasioned the rumpus."

"Come, Ellinor, get up.

Do you know it is almost nine o'clock? and I expect every moment to be called down to read a sermon."

"I am so tired, I have half a mind to slip it to-night. But, at any rate, I shan't budge till you tell me what made Clara squall so hideously."

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At this moment Catherine heard some one calling her, and she opened the door. Catherine," again called Charles, for it was he―" are you coming down to read? It is almost nine o'clock-my father seems impatient."

"I will be down in a minute," said Catherine, as she returned to the room to tell Ellinor.

"If you are coming," she said, "let it be directly; for you know Sir Thomas does not approve of any one entering in the middle of the sermon."

"I suppose I must," said Ellinor, as she rose to look for her shoes.

On entering the drawing-room, Catherine found Mrs Lennox still reclining on the sofa, and Sir Thomas walking through the room, while Charles and Lady Lennox were looking out at the window.

"You are late to-night," said the Baronet. "Where is Ellinor?”

"She will be here immediately;" and Catherine approached the table where the books lay. She put off as much time as possible in fixing what sermon to read, that Ellinor might be in the room before she commenced; and just as she thought she could wait no longer, the latter entered.

By the time Catherine had finished a few pages, Mrs Lennox fell fast asleep, and her breathing became so loud, that it reached the ears of Charles, who, giving his lady a gentle shake, said, " Anne, you are sleeping."

Sleeping!" said the indignant lady, awakening from a most comfortable nap; "I never was more awake in my life: what can make you suppose that I was sleeping?"

"A very natural supposition, I think, when I heard you snoring. People seldom snore when they are awake."

"I never snore, sir, at any time, whe

ther asleep or awake; and you know that very well, though you say so, just to tease

me."

"I don't see how you can tell whether or not you snore. Those who hear you are the best judges; and it is a fact, that the noise you made quite drowned the sermon."

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"Catherine, my dear," said Sir Thomas, go on."

Catherine obeyed, Charles resumed his seat near the window, and Mrs Lennox threw herself back on the sofa, with high indignation at being accused of the vulgar crime of snoring. As soon as the sermon was finished, the supper-tray was ordered in, and having partaken of a slight repast, the party separated; which terminated Mrs Lennox's first Sunday in Scotland.

CHAPTER XVII.

As letters some hand hath invisibly traced,
When held to the flame will steal on the sight,

So many a feeling that long seem'd effaced,

The warmth of a meeting like this brings to light.

MOORE.

As Willoughby was returning to the Barracks from Edinburgh one day, a gentleman on horseback passed him quickly, but who, on glancing at Willoughby, suddenly checked his steed, saying at the same time, “ I thought I was right;" and, springing from his horse, he advanced to Willoughby, holding out his hand.

"My dear Sefton," exclaimed Willoughby, "where, in the name of wonder, have you dropped from? This is really an unexpected pleasure. Pray, what has brought