racks, and bring Willoughby back with me."

"Oh!" replied Catherine, "I cannot possibly stay to-day, it is quite out of the question, we are expected at home."

"I know of nothing to prevent your remaining, if you wish it," answered Charles; "and as to being expected at home, I shall ride round that way with Sefton, and tell them not to wait for us."

"There is a good creature," said Mrs Sefton. "Now, Catherine, you can have no possible objection to remaining with us." "Indeed-you must excuse me-I really cannot stay."

66

Upon my word," replied Mrs Sefton, "I begin to suspect you have some appointment at home. Pray, Mr Lennox, what are Sir Pelham's habits?-is he often in Hope Street ?"

"Pretty much; and, now that you speak of it, I dare say there is some appointment, for I do think she received my offer of escorting her here very coolly."

"Charles, how can you talk such downright nonsense? Ellen, don't believe him." "That will depend on yourself-if you remain, I shall consider your cousin's insinuations mere badinage; but if you goCatherine-if you go

"Well, Ellen, I fancy I must submit quietly to my fate."

""Tis by far the best way; and when we get rid of these two wretches, we shall have such a delightful gossip."

"When shall I order the carriage?" asked Charles.

you

"There are no carriages to be ordered here," said Mrs Sefton; "I shall not part with Catherine to-night; be thankful if get her back to-morrow. Now, off with you both, and don't let us see you for two hours at soonest.-Now that these plagues are gone," continued Mrs Sefton, " sit down there, and tell me what you have been about this age."

"Oh, nothing very remarkable."

"I dare say not; But pray who is this Sir Pelham Talmash? I am dying to know all about him.”

"Indeed you know almost as much about him as I do. He is here for change of scene, as his health and spirits are greatly injured in consequence of the death of a lady with whom he was on the point of marriage. He brought a letter of introduction from Lord Granton to Sir Thomas. It seems he was formerly in Captain Spencer's regiment, but left it on half-pay at the time of his projected marriage.'

"Ah, then, Willoughby knows him ?"

66

No; I rather think he joined the regiment after Sir Pelham left it ;-but Spencer is very well acquainted with him."

"Is the love-lorn swain handsome?"

"He has black hair, black eyes, a black face; and I was going to say black teeth; but no-they are as white as snow, or perhaps it is his dingy complexion which makes them appear to so much advantage."

"Has this Othello any fortune?"

"A large one, I believe: But do let us go to the garden, I am anxious to see if the rustic seat is in good preservation."

"Indeed!" replied Mrs Sefton, with an expressive glance. "I am truly glad to find you continue to recollect there is such a thing in existence."

Catherine had just returned with Mrs Sefton from visiting her favourite lime-walk, when the three gentlemen rode up the avenue and joined them. As Catherine and Willoughby were no longer on the same terms they had been during their last visit to the Seftons, they both felt a good deal embarrassed, but this gradually wore off; and by the time they were seated at table, they were considerably less solemn and taciturn than before.

"Have you, Willoughby, seen this handsome Sir Pelham Talmash, that the ladies are all raving about?" asked Sefton.

A laconic affirmative was the reply. "And do you think him so very captivating ?"

"You had better ask that question of the ladies," replied Willoughby, looking earnestly at Catherine. "What do you say then, Miss Dundas-is the gentleman quite irresistible?'

"Take care what you say, Catherine," said Mrs Sefton, who thought a little touch of jealousy might accelerate Willoughby's movements; "this does not tally very well with the account you gave me of him this morning."

"Indeed I don't recollect expressing a higher opinion of him then than I do now," replied Catherine, in confusion; and Mrs Sefton, thinking Willoughby had heard enough to make him exert himself, turned the conversation into another channel, and soon after adjourned with Catherine to the drawing-room.

"I am very angry with you, Ellen,” exclaimed Catherine; what could possess you to torment me so about that odious Sir Pelham? I beg―"