freeing herself from the arms of her mother, she rolled upon the carpet, increasing in noise at every turn. Charles, whom this unusual riot had brought up stairs, found, on entering the drawing-room, his wife in strong hysterics, -Clara flying like a rolling pin over the carpet, Ellinor reading, or pretending to read, and Lady Lennox and Catherine looking on in silent amazement. The presence of Charles quieted the spoiled child, and greatly abated the hysterics of his lady, who immediately began to lay her complaint before her husband; and as she told the story her own way, and Ellinor did not deign to justify herself, he at first thought that Ellinor alone had been to blame, and that she had used his wife extremely ill but on observing that neither Lady Lennox nor Catherine corroborated the statement of his lady, he determined to ascertain the truth before passing judgment, and for that purpose applied to Catherine, begging her to relate what had passed. Catherine, unwilling that Charles should know how much Mrs Lennox had mis-stated the case, and yet anxious to do Ellinor justice, hesitated what to reply ;but her hesitation was enough. Charles instantly conjectured to whom the blame attached he then dismissed Clara to the nursery, and taking the arm of his wife, he said, that as she appeared to be fatigued, he would advise her to go to her bed. He then accompanied her to her apartment—there, whether to give or receive a curtain lecture, we shall leave our readers to determine. CHAPTER IX. When Scotland was a kingdom, kings have stood H. G. B. A FEW days after this fracas Sir Thomas proposed a drive to Edinburgh, to show Mrs Lennox the town, saying he was sure she would be highly gratified with the Scottish capital. But Mrs Lennox was not a woman who could be highly gratified with anything: however, as she did not very well know how to amuse herself, she consented to the proposal; and the ladies retired to equip themselves for the excursion. As Lady Lennox declined being of the party, it was decided that they should all go in the Baronet's carriage. So far all went well; but just as they were about to set out, Clara returned from her walk, and seeing them prepared for some expedition, insisted on accompanying them. "You can't go, my love," said Mrs Lennox; you are not dressed, and we can't wait till Jenkinson changes your frock and trowsers; so you must just stay at home, and if you are a good girl, I shall bring you some pretty toy from Edinburgh." "But I will go," said Clara, stamping with passion at this denial. "I will go; my frock and trowsers are quite nice and clean, Jenkinson put them on this morning, and I won't be good, mamma, unless you take me with you." 66 Anne," said Charles, "you surely don't mean to plague us with Clara; I shall ring for Jenkinson to take her to the nurseryyou see you are detaining us all.” "I won't go to the nursery," screamed Clara, clinging to the gown of her mother; " I will go with mamma!" "Charles," said his lady, not very well pleased that her darling should be called a plague," you frighten the child-she is not accustomed to be spoken to so roughly.Dry your tears, my love," said she, turning to the sobbing child, "you shall go with your mamma; no one else appears to have any affection for you." "The carriage has been at the door some time," said Sir Thomas, " and, as I do not like my horses to be kept waiting, I beg you will come away." On hearing this, Clara, dreading to be left behind, redoubled her cries to be taken; and Mrs Lennox, turning to her, said, "Well, well, you shall go; but you are really a bad little girl this morning." "And whose fault is that?" said Charles. "If you have any regard for the welfare of your child, you ought instantly to punish her for her violence and disobedience." Mrs Lennox paid no attention to this admonition, but, taking the hand of the still sobbing Clara, led the way to the carriage. |