Catherine, go up beside Lennox, and give us a little more room in the carriage."

She therefore consented to his proposal; and, after carefully assisting her to mount, Charles seated himself beside her. They chatted for a while about all that they had seen at Dalkeith, when Charles, who was very fond of horses, suddenly exclaimed to Willoughby, "What a beautiful animal that is of yours; I should like amazingly to purchase him."

"Don't you think," replied Willougnby, "that it would be prudent to try him first ?"

66

"If you will change places with me," replied Charles, "I shall do so instantly." "With all my heart," replied Willoughby, dismounting.

66

Stop, George, till I get down," exclaimed Charles; and before Catherine had time to dissuade him, Charles had mounted the spirited animal, and Willoughby was seated beside her. So long as Charles was her companion, the two amiable sisters found

no fault with the seat she had chosen, but the moment Willoughby had taken his place, their indignation burst forth in the following conversation; for Catherine's envied situation had the effect of making Ellinor and Mrs Lennox forget their former bickerings.

"I don't see," exclaimed Mrs Lennox, "what right she has to be up there. It was highly improper in Lennox to allow Major Willoughby to take his place; he ought to have remained where he was, instead of running the risk of breaking his neck by riding that half-broke vicious animal."

"And for my part," said Ellinor, "I think there is much less impropriety in riding on horseback with an intimate friend or two, than in being stuck up there with a gentleman; but Miss Catherine knows very well what she is about. She was mighty prudent, forsooth, and thought I would feel so unpleasant riding near an officer; but, at any rate, I am sure I would not have

been half so near him as she is, squeezed up there. She was anxious that I should go in the carriage, afraid, no doubt, that I would engross the attention of the Major. Miss Catherine can play the Saint to a marvel when she has any point to gain."

66

Only listen," said Mrs Lennox, "how loud they are talking; they are attracting the attention of every mortal on the road."

"I dare say," rejoined Ellinor, “it was all a concerted plan; for I saw Charles whisper something to her just as she was getting up. I suppose he was telling her he meant to change places with Willoughby. You saw she hesitated at first, but I fancy that proposal determined her. Wishing to buy his horse, indeed! a very likely story, when he has already more than he knows what to do with."

While all this was going on inside of the carriage, those on the outside, wholly unconscious of the annoyance they were giving to their neighbours, passed their time quite to their satisfaction.

"What a beautiful view!" said Wil. loughby, addressing the ladies in the carriage, but again turning to Catherine without waiting for an answer.

"If one could see it," retorted Mrs Lennox. "He may speak of views indeed, perched up in the air! I wonder if he thinks we can see anything in this odious low-hung carriage. I always hated a barouche; it holds too many. I am determined for the future to use my own landaulet."

"I wish to Heaven," cried Ellinor, "that it would rain, were it only to provoke them. They are talking at a pretty rate. I see the demure Miss Catherine can flirt like other people."

"I am afraid we are going to have a shower," said Ashley, riding up to the carriage.

-"Indeed!" exclaimed Ellinor, delighted at the thought of breaking up the dicky tête-à-tête; "then I think Catherine ought

to come into the carriage, and we should have it closed immediately.”

"I beg the carriage may be closed," said Mrs Lennox; "it has become extremely cold—I have been shivering this half hour." "Catherine, my dear," said Sir Thomas, you had better come down,-Mr Ashley thinks we shall soon have a shower."

66

66

"I assure you, Sir Thomas," exclaimed Willoughby, "we shall not have a drop of rain to-day. It is quite clear to windward, and the black cloud which has frightened Ashley is going from us."

"I am quite of Major Willoughby's opinion," said Sir Thomas, "that there will be no rain to-day; so Catherine, my dear, you may stay where you are with perfect safety; but, as Mrs Lennox complains of cold, we must stop a few minutes and close the carriage." And in spite of all Mrs Lennox's attempts to persuade him that the shivering had gone off, the Baronet was peremptory; and in a few seconds this jar