enabled me to leave the army, no longer withheld his consent. Willoughby, you must marry. Come and witness my hap piness, my dear friend, and then, I think, you won't require much persuasion."

"It gives me pleasure," said Willoughby, with warmth, "to see you so happy; but though you, my friend, have been so fortunate as to draw a prize in the matri monial lottery, every one may not have your good fortune. You know that there are at least ten blanks to one prize.”

"Poh," said Sefton, "all nonsense; there are thousands of amiable women in the world, would you but take the trouble of looking for them.”

"Well, well," said Willoughby gaily, "I shall be content for the present to be introduced to one of the thousand, whom I have some curiosity to see."

"I expect you are to adore her," said Sefton laughing; "but I must be off," he added, as he rose to depart," she will wonder what has detained me.”

66

What, Sefton," said Willoughby smiling, "under petticoat government already, and yet you wish to get me into the noose ?"

"I wish to Heaven, Willoughby, you were in it to-morrow," said Sefton; and the friends separated.

CHAPTER XVIII.

What is there in the vale of life
Half so delightful as a wife,

When friendship, love, and peace combine
To stamp the marriage bond divine ?

COWPER.

66

"CATHERINE," said Ellinor, come here to the window, and tell whose servant this is with a cockade in his hat. It is neither Willoughby's nor Spencer's."

"I am as much in the dark as yourself," said Catherine, quietly reseating herself. William now entered with a card, which Ellinor advanced to receive. But he presented it to Catherine, saying, " For Miss Dundas, ma'am."

Ellinor, with a scrutinizing air, examined

Catherine's face, which beamed with plea

sure.

"There seems to be some mighty pleasant communication contained in it," said Ellinor," at least if one may judge from your looks."

"I am the happiest creature in the world," said Catherine; "but I must write an answer, for the servant waits.”

"Is it a secret ?" asked Ellinor, with a dissatisfied air.

"Not at all," replied Catherine;"'tis from my dear friend, Ellen Sefton, who has come to Scotland solely for the purpose of seeing me; and, as she feels fatigued with her journey, she wishes me to come and spend the day with her."

"Of course you will decline; you know we are going out to dinner."

"I must for once be rude, and send an apology; I cannot deny myself the pleasure of seeing my excellent Ellen."

"Now, oblige me, Catherine," said Elli

"

nor, and put off your visit till to-mor

row."

Indeed, I cannot do it. What would Ellen think of me, after coming so far for my sake ?"

"As to that," said Ellinor, " 'tis probably words of course. Very likely she was coming down to Scotland at any rate, and thought she might as well pay you the compliment of saying so."

"Ellen Sefton," said Catherine, "is above saying what is not the case.”

"There is no occasion," replied Ellinor, "to be in a passion about it; but I might have known my wishes would have little effect, when put in competition with those of this new friend."

"Ellinor," said Catherine, "are you so

unkind ?"

"Unkind, indeed! I fancy you would have thought me more unkind, had I not asked you to stay; but really there is no pleasing some people. But pray," she muttered, as she left the room," don't stay to