oblige me. I would not for worlds keep you a moment from this very dear friend of yours."

Catherine having replied to her friend's note, and dispatched it, ran up stairs to put on her walking dress; and, on her return to the drawing-room, she found her ladyship and Mrs Lennox.

"Where are you going, Catherine ?” said the former.

"To town," she replied.

"You surely don't mean to walk to Edinburgh? you will be too late to dress for dinner."

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Oh, my dear aunt," said Catherine, "I hope you will be kind enough to carry my apology; for Ellen Sefton has just arrived, and I have promised to spend the day with her."

"It looks very like rain," said Mrs Lennox, who had a malicious pleasure in mortifying Catherine.

"Rain!" said Charles, who just then entered, " 'tis the finest day I ever saw.”

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Only think, Charles," said her ladyship, "Catherine is going to walk to Edinburgh to see an old friend.”

"And why should she not ?" said Charles. "But is there any necessity that she should walk? Can't she have the carriage ?"

"No, no,” replied Catherine; "I assure you I prefer walking."

"Come, then," said Charles, putting her arm within his," I shall see you so far on your way."

"Take care," said Mrs Lennox, "that you are home in time to dress for dinner." To which admonition Charles made no reply, but, in a kind and affectionate manner, put Catherine's arm within his, and escorted her almost as far as Edinburgh.

The meeting between Catherine and Mrs Sefton was affectionate in the extreme.

"Do you know, my dear Catherine," said the latter, "I sent Sefton out, on purpose that we might have an hour or two to ourselves."

"How well you look, and how happy," said Catherine, pressing Mrs Sefton's hand. "And to whom do I owe it all, but to you, dear Catherine! Your wise advice prevented a very foolish step. Had I listened to Sefton, I might this day have been an outcast from my father's love. But Harry was in a sad rage with you!"

"I hope he has forgiven me," said Catherine, laughing.

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Oh, yes; now that he has come to his senses, he allows you all due praise for the part you acted, and is quite impatient to be presented to you. He is the very best husband in the world; but do, now, tell me all about your own matters. How have you been going on at your uncle's?"

"Oh, very well; they are as kind to me as possible."

"I rejoice to hear it," said Mrs Sefton. But here their tête-à-tête was broken.in upon by Sefton, who, gently opening the door, said, in a manly, well-toned voice, Ellen, may I enter ?"

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"Have the two hours expired?" said Mrs Sefton, laughing.

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Very nearly," he replied.

"Well, then," continued his lively wife, "we give you leave to enter. Approach, and welcome the dearest friend I have on earth."

Catherine was now introduced to Sefton, who was so frank and good-humoured, that Catherine soon felt herself on intimate terms with him. The time passed so pleasantly, that the evening was far advanced before Catherine remarked it was late, adding, "I must soon leave you. My uncle's carriage is to come for me, when it takes the family home from dinner."

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Surely," said Mrs Sefton, " you will not think of leaving us to-night? We have such charming lodgings here, you had better decide on remaining. Do sit down, and write that I will bring you home to-morrow. I really cannot part with you tonight."

Catherine felt too happy in the society

of her friend, to require much entreaty to comply with this request. So the note was written and dispatched.

"Your uncle resides some miles from Edinburgh ?" asked Mrs Sefton.

"Yes," replied Catherine; "but it is merely a temporary residence. Sir Thomas has been ordered the hot-bath, which is the reason that he is not at his country-seat this summer."

I should like to be near you," said Mrs Sefton. "Do you think we could get a pretty villa in your neighbourhood ?"

"I have no doubt of it," replied Catherine; "but what does Captain Sefton think of this plan ?"

"Oh," said Mrs Sefton, without giving him time to reply, "he always thinks as I do-Don't you, Harry ?"

"A pretty Jerry Sneak you will make me appear to Miss Dundas," said Sefton, smiling;" and just to show your friend that I am master in my own house, I issue