my commands that you broil in town during the dog-days!"

"Don't mind him, Catherine," said his lively wife; "you and I shall set out house-hunting to-morrow morning."

The evening passed delightfully. Never before had Catherine met with society so suited to her taste. Here there were no tempers to be studied, no sharp replies to be turned aside. All was harmony and goodhumour; and the trio for the night separated, mutually pleased with each other.

"What do you think of Catherine ?" asked Mrs Sefton of her husband, the moment they retired.

"Very so so," he replied, vainly attempting to conceal a smile.

66

Ah, you deceiver!" said his wife, "I know, from that curl of your lip, that you admire her extremely."

Well, my dear Ellen, I think your friend a very charming young woman;

and

as I don't wonder at your partiality for her,

I give you leave to take a house anywhere you please, so that it be near her."

This is just like yourself, Harry,” said Mrs Sefton, her eyes beaming with pleasure; "I shall indeed be most happy to spend a few months in this pretty country, and in the society of my best friend.”

"Your best friend?" said Sefton, affecting an air of surprise.

Well, then," she replied, laughing, "I shall say, my next best."

"Has Catherine not come yet?" said her ladyship, on her return from the party.

66

No, my lady," replied Campbell.

"That is surprising," said Charles, "for 'tis very late; but, Campbell, go down and tell George to bring round the carriage again. I shall go up to town for her."

"You shall do no such thing," said Mrs Lennox, in an angry tone. "If Miss Catherine chooses to gad away to town, I don't see why you should run after her."

"I believe," said Charles, making his

wife a profound bow, " that I have arrived at the years of discretion."

"I have my doubts of that," replied Mrs Lennox.

“William,” cried Charles," see if the carriage is round."

"I believe, sir," said William, "that Miss Lennox has got a card from Miss Dundas, as Captain Sefton's servant was here some time since."

"Ellinor!" bawled Charles-" Ellinor, I say.”

"What do you want, pray?" said Ellinor, half opening the door of her room. "You know I hate to be bawled to in that way."

"Have you got a card from Catherine?" What if I have?" she replied with great coolness.

"Because I am going for her."

"You may save yourself the troubleshe means to remain all night with these Seftons." And with these words she terminated the conference, by retreating into

her apartment and pulling the door after her.

"Catherine has written Ellinor," said Charles, on entering the drawing-room, "that she won't be home till to-morrow."

"It would have been very unlike Catherine," said Sir Thomas, " if she had not let us know her intention. She is a good girl, and has more common sense than most of her sex. Some how or other, I never feel right when she is away.”

"She makes excellent tea," said her la dyship.

"And she has the sweetest temper in the world," said Charles, glancing at his

wife.

""Tis a pity," said Mrs Lennox spitefully, "that this paragon is not here to benefit by hearing her own praises."

"She is an exception," said Charles, "to the generality of her sex, for she can hear another admired without being envious."

"I suppose, sir,” said Mrs Lennox, darting a fiery look at her husband, "that was

levelled at me. Oh, fool that I was to marry!" she exclaimed, bursting into tears. "You cannot, madam," said Charles, with

bitterness, regret that occurrence more deeply than I do."

66

66

Charles, Charles!" said Sir Thomas, you forget."

"I only wish I could, sir," was his reply.

Mrs Lennox, who was now in the full flow of a hysteric fit, having been conveyed to her apartment, and consigned to the care of Mrs Jenkinson, began to pour into her friendly ear a torrent of invectives against Charles, Sir Thomas, Lady Lennox, Ellinor, and, though last not least, Catherine, whom she blamed as the sole author of this lamentable affair. Never was woman treated so shamefully by the whole pack as she had been-But what better could be expected from a parcel of Scotch savages?— Jenkinson echoed her words, and by her tender sympathy gradually assuaged the outrageous grief of the amiable sufferer.