you to help me in my studies, Mr. Cargill-it will be charitable—but perhaps you are afraid of a female pupil ?"

A thrill, arising from former recollections, passed through poor Cargill's mind with as much acuteness as the pass of a rapier might have done through his body; and we cannot help remarking, that a forward prater in society, like a busy bustler in a crowd, besides all other general points of annoyance, is eternally rubbing upon some tender point, and galling men's feelings, without knowing or regarding it.

"You must assist me, besides, in my little charities, Mr. Cargill, now that you and I are become so well acquainted. There is that Anne Heggie-I sent her a trifle yesterday, but I am told-I should not mention it, but only one would not have the little they have to bestow lavished on an improper object-I am told she is not quite proper an unwedded mother in short, Mr. Cargill -and it would be especially unbecoming in me to encourage profligacy."

"I believe, madam," said the clergyman, gravely, "the poor woman's distress may justify your ladyship's bounty, even if her conduct has been faulty."

"O, I am no prude, neither, I assure you, Mr. Cargill," answered the Lady Penelope. "I never withdraw my countenance from any one but on the most irrefragable grounds. I could tell you of an intimate friend of my own, whom I have supported against the whole clamour of the people at the Well, because I believe, from the bottom of my soul, she is only thoughtlessnothing in the world but thoughtless-O Mr. Cargill, how can you look across the table so intelligently?—who would have thought it of you?-Oh fie, to make such personal applications!"

"Upon my word, madam, I am quite at a loss to comprehend "

"Oh fie, fie, Mr. Cargill," throwing in as much censure and surprise as a confidential whisper can convey-" you looked at my Lady Binks-I know what you think, but you are quite wrong, I assure you; you are entirely wrong. I wish she would not flirt quite so much with that young Lord Etherington though, Mr. Cargill—her situation is particular.—Indeed, I believe she wears out his patience; for see he is leaving the room before we sit down-how singular!—And then, do you not think it very odd, too, that Miss Mowbray has not come down to us?"

"Miss Mowbray !-what of Miss Mowbray-is she not here?" said Mr. Cargill, starting, and with an expression of interest which he had not yet bestowed on any of her ladyship's liberal communications.

"Ay, poor Miss Mowbray," said Lady Penelope, lowering her voice, and shaking her head; "she has not appeared-her brother went up stairs a few minutes since, I believe, to bring her down, and so we are all left here to look at each other.-How very awkward !—But you know Clara Mowbray."

"I, madam?" said Mr. Cargill, who was now sufficiently attentive; "I really-I know Miss Mowbraythat is, I knew her some years since-but your ladyship knows she has been long in bad health-uncertain health at least, and I have seen nothing of the young lady for a very long time."

"I know it, my dear Mr. Cargill-I know it," continued the Lady Penelope, in the same tone of deep sympathy, "I know it; and most unhappy surely have been the circumstances that have separated her from

your advice and friendly counsel.-All this I am aware of-and to say truth, it has been chiefly on poor Clara's account that I have been giving you the trouble of fixing an acquaintance upon you. You and I together, Mr. Cargill, might do wonders to cure her unhappy state of mind-I am sure we might-that is, if you could bring your mind to repose absolute confidence in me."

"Has Miss Mowbray desired your ladyship to converse with me upon any subject which interests her?" said the clergyman, with more cautious shrewdness than Lady Penelope had suspected him of possessing. "I will in that case be happy to hear the nature of her communication; and whatever my poor services can perform, your ladyship may command them."

"I-I-I cannot just assert," said her ladyship with hesitation, "that I have Miss Mowbray's direct instructions to speak to you, Mr. Cargill, upon the present subject. But my affection for the dear girl is so very great -and then, you know, the inconveniences which may arise from this match."

"From which match, Lady Penelope?" said Mr. Cargill.

66

'Nay, now, Mr. Cargill, you really carry the privilege of Scotland too far I have not put a single question to you but what you have answered by another let us converse intelligibly for five minutes, if you can but condescend so far."

"For any length of time which your ladyship may please to command," said Mr. Cargill, "provided the subject regard your ladyship's own affairs or mine,— could I suppose these last for a moment likely to interest you."

"Out upon you," said the lady laughing affectedly;

"you should really have been a Catholic priest instead of a Presbyterian. What an invaluable father confessor have the fair sex lost in you, Mr. Cargill, and how dexterously you would have evaded any cross-examinations which might have committed your penitents!"

"Your ladyship's raillery is far too severe for me to withstand or reply to," said Mr. Cargill, bowing with more ease than her ladyship expected; and, retiring gently backward, he extricated himself from a conversation which he began to find somewhat embarrassing.

At that moment a murmur of surprise took place in the apartment, which was just entered by Miss Mowbray, leaning on her brother's arm. The cause of this murmur will be best understood, by narrating what had 'passed betwixt the brother and sister.

CHAPTER XXII.

EXPOSTULATION.

Seek not the feast in these irreverent robes;
Go to my chamber-put on clothes of mine.
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

It was with a mixture of anxiety, vexation, and resentment, that Mowbray, just when he had handed Lady Penelope into the apartment, where the tables were covered, observed that his sister was absent, and that Lady Binks was hanging on the arm of Lord Etherington, to whose rank it would properly have fallen to escort the lady of the house. An anxious and hasty glance cast through the room, ascertained that she was absent, nor could the ladies present give any account of her after she had quitted the gardens, except that Lady Penelope had spoken a few words with her in her own apartment, immediately after the scenic entertainment was concluded.

Thither Mowbray hurried, complaining aloud of his sister's laziness in dressing, but internally hoping that the delay was occasioned by nothing of a more important character.

He hastened up stairs, entered her sitting-room without ceremony, and knocking at the door of her dressing-room, begged her to make haste.

"Here is the whole company impatient," he said,