not come to us yesterday, and gave the letter to the coachman to carry over to you, but I suppose the hurry of our removal made him forget it. But you will go, Ellen? You really must enliven our solitude for a few weeks."

"There is nothing I should like half so much;-but I must consult that bashaw in the corner. Now don't laugh, Harry, as if I were paying you a fresh compliment, for I take all present to witness that I am ready to perform my part of our agreement. Know then, good people, that when this gentleman consented to come down to Scotland, he stipulated that we were to return home for the shooting season; it therefore rests with him to decide the present questionNow, my good man, what say you? I shall be very glad to spend a few weeks with our friends, but if you wish to go south, say the word, and I shall pack up to-morrow without a pout or a frown. Nay, I am ready to carry your game-bag over the fields-praise your dogs, and admire your gun. I would

be the most ungrateful creature on earth were I to hesitate a moment to sacrifice my wishes to one who so kindly indulges all my whims."

The look which Sefton now bestowed on his wife rewarded her amply for her selfdenial. Surely if domestic tyrants were to feel but for one moment how sweet it is to govern by love, the frowning brow and harsh command would be for ever discarded.

Assuming a grave expression, Sefton said, "Your speech has certainly surprised me considerably—I think there ought to have been no hesitation or doubt as to our motions ;" then seeing the suffusion of her cheek, he continued, "You have injured me by supposing I would object to comply with Lady Lennox's request, and I must devise some fitting punishment."

"Ah, you wretch!" said Mrs Sefton, recovering her gaiety," what a fright you gave me I thought you in a real rage.Well, my dear Catherine, you hear the boon is granted: but we shall not be able to go

so soon as to-morrow; therefore, if Sir Thomas cannot be prevailed on to postpone his journey for a few days, we must just follow."

Catherine assured her that Sir Thomas would not remain another day.

"Well then, we must join you-I see by Amy's countenance I may answer for her; and as to Captain Spencer, he is quite at my disposal."

"I am exceedingly happy to hear it," replied Spencer; " you will find me on this occasion a very obedient subject."

"You shall not want your sport, Sefton," said Charles-" I promise you excellent shooting on my father's estate, which is tolerably extensive, and I quite pique myself on my dogs. Willoughby," continued he, observing his dismay and confusion, “I wish I could persuade you to come back to us. I know you must go south with the regiment; but do try, my good fellow, to get leave of absence for a few weeks-you have seen almost nothing of Scotland, and

I assure you we think our part of the country not devoid of attractions."

Willoughby with difficulty articulated a reply.

Catherine now rose-" Farewell, dear Ellen! we shall soon meet again."

"You shall not go till you have visited the lime walk and the loch. Come, good folks, let us all take a stroll, the evening is fine, and I must be allowed to marshal the array. You, Amy, are not to go beyond the gravel walk, as the grass is rather damp; and I appoint Mr Lennox and Captain Spencer to see that my orders are obeyed. As to you, Major Willoughby, if you have any affection remaining for your once favourite haunts, you may follow me."And Willoughby quickly obeying the summons, walked in silence by Catherine, who had taken the arm of Mrs Sefton. In this manner were visited the garden, the rustic seat, the loved lime walk. As they proceeded onwards, however, the path became narrower and admitted two only.

66

Harry," exclaimed Mrs Sefton, " you must positively climb up that bank and pull some of these delicious filberts."

"Delicious filberts! they are not half ripe; in fact, they are absolutely green."

"But I like them best green. Do you and the Major," said she to Catherine, "go on, and we shall follow you directly. I am just waiting till Sefton pulls me a few.”

Catherine appearing to hesitate, Willoughby settled the point, by drawing her arm within his, and proceeding down the path which skirted the border of the loch.

66

Positively, Ellen," exclaimed Sefton, "these nuts won't be eatable for a fortnight."

"I have not the least doubt of it. Do you believe I cared a straw about them? why, man, I think you are as green as the nuts. I was at a terrible loss for an excuse to drop behind the lovers; if I had not seen the filberts, I believe I must have sprained my ancle."

"Do you think they will be as happy as we are, Ellen ?"