who are those passing?" she exclaimed, with the view of drawing the attention of her visitors from herself." That is certainly Miss Lennox and one of the officers."

At this intelligence the whole bevy made a rush to the window.

"Did not I tell you," said the exulting Miss Barton-"Did not I tell you that Miss Dundas was unwell; Miss Lennox being alone, confirms the truth of my story. I think, good folks, you will pay a little more attention after this, to what I relate."

At this moment of triumph, Catherine, accompanied by Willoughby, appeared in sight, and as if to give Miss Barton the lie on every point, looking strikingly lovely and animated.

Miss Kennedy, happy to have her revenge, set up a most audible titter. "I must say," exclaimed she, addressing Miss Macdonald, "that Miss Dundas is a very rosy ghost; but perhaps her fine complexion is borrowed to conceal the ravages of grief. If Miss Barton calls Miss Dundas pale, I can

only say she does not know white from red."

"Who is that with Miss Dundas ?" asked Miss Nettles.

"That is Major Willoughby," replied Miss Kennedy.

"I wonder," said Mrs Smellarat, "if the officers are going to sup with them? I dare say they are; for when I was in the market yesterday, Lady Lennox's cook came in with a basket that might have held a whole sheep; and when I was haggling with the butcher about a fine big tongue I wanted to get, his wife came and took it away, saying, it had been bespoke by Lady Lennox; but I did not believe one word of what she said. She just wanted to favour the Lennoxes, because she thinks them better customers. A pretty sum their butcher's account must come to; for when I was in, that very day, the cook took away six principal roasts, besides other things, and never asked the price of them. Sir Thomas will be a ruined man some day."

"Bless me, Miss Macdonald," exclaimed Miss Nettles, "I did not know you were acquainted with any of the officers. There is a soldier coming in at the gate. That seems to be a parcel of books he is carrying-Oh! I fancy it is some mistake-he is away again."

"I shall ask what he wanted here," said Miss Macdonald, rising to pull the bell. "What did that soldier want who came in just now ?"

"He asked where Sir Thomas Lennox lived ?"

"Were those books he was carrying?" "Don't know, ma'am," replied Betty, pertly; "I never asked what he was carrying."

"You may go down stairs," said her mis

tress.

As soon as Betty was shut out, the latter returned to the investigation of this mysterious circumstance.

"I dare say these are music-books from some of the officers," said Mrs Smellarat ; "I am told that the Lennoxes are very

musical.

Miss Lennox plays the harp remarkably well, and Major Willoughby spends most of his time accompanying her on the flute; he is there regularly every day. But, bless me, here is the soldier again, and still carrying the books. Suppose I open the window, and ask him if he is looking for any house?"

"It is more proper that I should ask him,” said Miss Macdonald, and opening the window, she asked if he was looking for Sir Thomas Lennox's house?

“Yes, ma'am,” replied the soldier, respectfully touching his cap, "but I have

not been able to find it."

"Are these music books that you are carrying?-from Major Willoughby, I suppose ?"

“Yes, ma'am, I am carrying them to Miss Lennox ;-the Major is there just now, but I have not been able to find the house."

'My servant will direct you," replied Miss Macdonald; while her visitors crowd

ed to the window, that they might not lose a word of this dialogue.

"I thank you, ma'am," said the man, again touching his cap, "I am very much obliged to you."

""Tis just as I thought," said Miss Macdonald, shutting down the window;

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they intend staying the evening too;fine doings seem going on there. I dare say that poor fellow will get a good drubbing, for being so long with the books: I saw one of Sir Thomas's servants pass some time ago, seemingly looking for some one."

"I wonder," said Mrs Smellarat, “what kind of music it was-Moore, I suppose."

"I hope," Miss Kennedy," that Miss Dundas's eyes will be dry enough for her to see to read it."

"Whose livery is that?" said Miss Barton to Miss Macdonald.

"That is Sir Thomas Lennox's coachman-I was sure I had seen him pass; but what is that he is carrying? it is like tea