stairs again, but I was too much mortified by his neglect of me to ask him." "How can you talk such nonsense, Charles ?" said Catherine. "Yes, I have no doubt 'tis all nonsense,” said Ellinor in a huff; "but I know him too well to believe what he says." "Believe me or not," said Charles, with mock gravity; "but if Sir Pelham Talmash is not over head and ears in love with our fair cousin, Catherine, I never was more mistaken in my life." "I don't think that very likely," said Mrs Lennox," when he is dying of grief for the loss of his English bride." "That is just the reason," replied her husband, "that will make him more apt to fall in love; 'tis the likeliest time to make an impression, and I dare say he will soon begin to think that to love a living Scotchwoman, is better than to mourn for a defunct English one." "Aunt Catherine,” said Clara, who was standing by her side," what man was that that looked so in your face, when you and I came in ?" "Did not I tell you so ?" exclaimed Charles, laughing; "it must have been evident indeed, when such a child as Clara observed it." Ellinor was too much mortified to reply; and Catherine, to put a stop to the conversation, quitted the room, taking Clara along with her. CHAPTER V. Let never man a-wooing wend King Henrie. "WHERE have you been, Charles ?" said Ellinor, next forenoon. "My father and I have just come from returning Sir Pelham's visit." "Was he at home?" 66 Yes, and we found him very pleasant. He is to sup here this evening en famille.” "This evening!-How could you think of such a thing?-We have no time to make up a party.” "There is no occasion. I dare say he is tired of parties; but we met Ashley on the sands, who has promised to join us.” "Oh, well, he is better than nobody," replied Mrs Lennox. "Are you disposed for a walk ?" asked Charles. The ladies declined, and Charles soon after left them. "What has become of Miss Catherine all this morning ?" said Mrs Lennox. 66 "I suppose she is poking her eyes out for these everlasting beggars. She passed me on the stair just now, with a bundle of rags in her hand. She has grown very disagreeable and disobliging. She has never been the same since she came from Duddingstone. I think these odious Seftons have quite ruined her.” "I don't think she has forgiven you for saying she went there to meet Willoughby." 66 A great affair, indeed, to make such a fuss about! If it had not been true, I dare say she would have thought nothing about the matter; but I am sorry she has taken this time for her pouts, for Campbell dresses my hair most abominably, and I suppose Miss Catherine will not deign to assist me. I must just have recourse to Jenkinson; and if you will dress before dinner, this may easily be managed." "I don't intend to dress before dinner, but if I can spare her a few minutes in the evening, you may have her." The evening arrived, and with it came Sir Pelham, whose elegant manners and agreeable conversation strengthened the favourable impression the Lennox family had already received of the handsome stranger. A man in his situation is always interesting; but when to this claim on the sympathy of the ladies was added a graceful person, a title, and a large fortune, none but a heart of stone could refuse him pity! Throughout the evening, Sir Pelham conducted himself with a due regard to his melancholy state; sighed often; and if he did occasionally commit a smile, it was so thoroughly pensive as to exonerate him from |