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was really the natural and inevitable || shallow rivulet with her petticoats result of the training; but, alas! to caught up just a little above her find more than one unaccomplished ancle, like a young Diana, and young lady in this accomplished age, a bounding, skimming, enjoying mois not to be hoped for. So I ad- tion, as if native to the element; mired and envied; and her fair which might have become a Naïad. I kinswomen pitied and scorned, and have seen her on the topmost round tried to teach; and Mary, never of a ladder, with one foot on the made for a learner, and as full of roof of a house, flinging down the animal spirits as a school-boy in the grapes that no one else had nerve holidays, sang and laughed, and enough to reach, laughing and gar skipped about from morning till landed and crowned with vine-leaves, night! like a Bacchante. But the prettiest combination of circumstances under which I ever saw her was, driving a donkey-cart up a hill one sunny windy day in September. It was a gay party of young women, some walking, some in open carriages of different descriptions, bent to seeДa celebrated prospect from a hill called the Ridges. The ascent was by a steep narrow lane, cut deeply be tween sand-banks, crowned with high feathery hedges. The road and its picturesque banks lay bathed in the golden sunshine; while the autumnal sky, intensely blue, appeared at the top as through an arch. The bill was so steep, that we had all dismounted, and left our different vel

It must be confessed, as a counterbalance to her other perfections, that the dear cousin Mary was, as far as great natural modesty and an occasional touch of shiness would let her, not the least in the world of a romp. She loved to toss about children, to jump over stiles, to scramble through hedges, to climb trees; and some of her knowledge of plants and birds may certainly have arisen from her delight in these boyish amusements. And which of us has not found that the strongest, the healthiest, and most flourishing acquirement, has arisen from pleasure or accident, has been in a manner self-sown, like an oak of the forest?-Oh! she was a sad fomp; as skittish as a wild colt, as || hicles in charge of the servants beuncertain as a butterfly, as uncatch-low; but Mary, to whom, as incomable as a swallow! But her great parably the best charioteer, the conpersonal beauty, the charm, grace, duct of a certain non-descript maand lightness of her movements, and, chine, a sort of donkey-curricle, had above all, her evident innocence of fallen, determined to drive a delicate heart, were bribes to indulgence, little girl, who was afraid of the which no one could withstand. I walk, to the top of the eminence. never heard her blamed by any hu- She jumped out for the purpose, and man being. The perfect unrestraint we followed, watching and admiring of her attitudes, and the exquisite her as she won her way up the hille symmetry of her form, would have now tugging at the donkeys in front, rendered her an invaluable study for with her bright face towards them a painter. Her daily doings would and us, and springing along backhave formed a series of pictures. I wards-now pushing the chaise from have seen her scudding through a || behind-now running by the side of

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her steeds, patting and caressing them || admiring the untaught damsel almost →now soothing the half-frightened as much as I loved her, should cer child now laughing, nodding, and tainly never have dreamed of her as shaking her little whip at us-dart- a teacher. However, she remained ing about like some winged creature in the rich baronet's family where she till at last she stopped at the top had commenced her vocation. They of the ascent, and stood for a mo- liked her apparently-there she was; ment on the summit, her straw bon- and again nothing was heard of her net blown back, and held on only by for many months, until happening to the strings; her brown hair playing call on the friends at whose house I in the wind in long natural ringlets; || had originally met her, I espied her her complexion becoming every mo- fair blooming face, a rose among ment more splendid from exertion, roses, at the drawing-room window→→→→ redder and whiter; her eyes and her and instantly with the speed of light smile brightening and dimpling; her was met and embraced by her at the figure in its simple white gown strong-hall-door. ly relieved by the deep blue sky, and There was not the slightest pers her whole form seeming to dilate ceptible difference in her deportiment. before our eyes. There she stood She still bounded like a fawn, and under an arch formed by two meet- laughed and clapped her hands like ing elms, a Hebe, a Psyche, a perfect an infant. She was not a day older, goddess of youth and joy. The or graver, or wiser, since we parted. Ridges are very fine things altogether, Her post of tutoress had at least done especially the part to which we were her no harm, whatever might have bound, a turfy, breezy spot, sinking been the case with her pupils. The down abruptly like a rock into a wild more I looked at her the more I fore-ground of heath and forest, with wondered, and after our mutual exa magnificent command of distant pression of pleasure had a little subsid+ objects-but we saw nothing that ed, I could not resist the temptation of day like the figure on the top of the saying, " So you are really a go hill. verness?"-" Yes.”—“ And After this I lost sight of her for a tinue in the same family?"-"Yes." long time. She was called suddenly" And you like your post?" home by the dangerous illness of her "O yes! yes!"-" But, my dear Ma mother, who, after languishing for ry, what could induce you to go?"se some months, died; and Mary went "Why, they wanted a governess, so to live with a sister much older than I went."-" But what could induce herself, and richly married in a ma- them to keep you?"-The perfect nufacturing town, where she languish- gravity and earnestness with which ed in smoke, confinement, depend- this question was put set her laughence, and display (for her sister was ing, and the laugh was echoed back almatch-making lady, a manœuvrer), from a group at the other end of the for about a twelvemonth. She then room, which I had not before noticed left her house, and went into Wales-an elegant man, in the prime of life, as a governess! Imagine the as- shewing a portfolio of rare prints to tonishment caused by this intelligence a fine girl of twelve, and a rosy among us all; for I myself, though boy of seven, evidently his children.

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"Why did they keep me? Ask them," || wife-that is her true vocation."

replied Mary, turning towards them with an arch smile." We kept her to teach ourselves," said the young lady." We kept her to play cricket with us," said her brother. "We kept her to marry," said the gentleman, advancing gaily to shake hands with me." She was a bad governess; but she is an excellent

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And so it is. She is indeed an excellent wife, and assuredly a most fortunate one. I never saw happiness so sparkling or so glowing; never saw such devotion to a bride, or such fondness for a step-mother, as Sir W. S. and his children shew to the sweet Cousin Mary. 6 ui i sam

THE NOVICIATE.
(Continued from p. 10.)

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gold or silver, made an odd contrast with crowds of retainers, bringing up the rear of the running footmen in costly liveries. Yet proud and satisfied in their ignorance, each believing the customs of his own country or district superior in all points of excellence, they individually strained all their means to do honour to their own family by a sumptuous style for themselves and their immediate attendants.

*WE are treating of a period when the felicitous expedient of connecting rooms by folding-doors was unknown; but the great hall of Balveny Castle was capable of containing some hundred persons, and the spacious gallery was fitted up for a multitude of dancers. The company directed their course to the scene of festivity in barges, so far as the sea or rivers could convey them, and the inland journey was performed on horseback. Wheel-carriages were The Lady of Balveny devoted to unheard of, unless within the circle her toilette all the morning of her of the court, where the appearance nuptial feast. Plates of polished sil'of a few such vehicles at Vienna was ver or steel were then in use to rerelated as a phenomenon almost mar- flect the image of beauty, and many vellous. In the preceding reign, the of these, manufactured in foreign Princess Margaret of England made countries, were among the heirlooms 'her entry into the city of Edinburgh of the Balveny heritage. Several riding on a pillion behind her royal damsels, bearing plates of shining spouse, James IV.; and though the metal, attended Wilmina on this deScottish nobility had now improved casion; and her lord, though he had the breed of horses, and their capa- times innumerable repeated" whatrisons were more elegantly ornament-ever seemed to him best adapted to ed, the most pompous display they give due effect to her native charms, could make in travelling would ap-came often to her bower to suggest pear, in the present day, a mockery some improvement, or to admire of grandeur. Stately chargers for the blaze of attractions that eclipsed the nobles and gentlemen, and beau- the gorgeous apparel and sparkling tiful palfreys for their ladies, with gems in which she was arrayed. Magsaddles, housing, and other appur-nificent trinkets had been brought tenances, loaded, not adorned, with from the East by crusaders of the

house of Balveny in successive ge- || the blushing, trembling Wilmina to nerations; and as Fashion had not the upper end of the hall; then saextended her arbitrary rules to fe- luting her on both cheeks, he also male dress, Lady Balveny was at li- pressed her forehead and ruby lips; berty to adjust hers for the most fa- and this last freedom he said she vourable exhibition of those orna- must excuse from an unmannerly ments. Her tight jacket of pale clown, who, nevertheless, forbade it blue silk was of the form commonly to all others except his host. He used in Scotland; but the wide and supported her by his arm and by long sleeves were Oriental, and looped many encouraging attentions while up over the elbows with chains of she underwent the trying ceremonial twisted gold set with precious stones; of presentation to her guests. From and on her wrists Wilmina displayed the hall he drew her to the gallery; bracelets to correspond. Her fingers the company of course followed: the were decked with rings. Her neck gude man of Ballengeith danced and half-uncovered bust were in a gaily with Wilmina and a party he great measure shaded by many rows called up to join them, and having of golden links, decorated with gems placed her in the chair of state, he similar in kind, but of greater size stood by her side, talking and laughand value than those employed in ing with her, inspiriting the dancers looping up the sleeves. A petticoat by cheers and plaudits, or promotof rich purple silk, embroidered to ing a circulation of the cup of welsuit the bright crimson apron and come, which, in massive silver tanktippet, completed the bridal costume. ards, was handed round. Wilmina Wilmina's luxuriant tresses of glossy drank to her partner in an antique auburn were confined by braids of cup of gold. He emptied it to her gold, superbly enchased and inter- health with loud acclamations, and mingled with costly pearls. On the kissed the reverse, on which her crown of her head she fixed with name was engraven. This cup and golden skewers a small cornet of the strings of pearls were the bridal blue shag or velvet, scolloped and gift of the sovereign. Dinner being bordered with pearls. This was in- announced, the gude man of Ballendispensable, according to the receiv- geith performed the office of best ed opinion, that it was indecorous man in leading the young matron to for a married woman to appear, with her elevated seat; and while the comher head uncovered. pany took their places at table, he disappeared. As Lord Balveny made no inquiry for him, it was well understood, that the king had concerted with him to remain only while his attendance might be essential to Lady Balveny.,

Aloud symphony from the harps announced that a grand assemblage filled the hall, and the chords, had just ceased to vibrate on the instruments, when the gude man of Ballengeith led forth the Lady of Balveny from an anti-room. Clad in a sober suit of gray, and with no mark of royalty except wearing his broad blue cap, as he passed a crowd of peers and chieftains, he conducted

She had in some measure composed her fluttered nerves, and was toiling in her vocation, as lady of the feast, when the Master of Balveny and his brother were announced. Within

four miles of the castle a confused | Happy for Wilipas could oshesalrumour of the marriage was intimat-ways have regarded hischéhaviour in ed, to them; and to manifest displea- that light; but in the affectation of sure to their father, and to incom- gaiety and ease, with real absence of mode the hostess, by disturbing the mind, he swallowed more wine than economy of her table, they lagged he was accustomed to take; and beby the way, till certain she must have fore dancing recommenced, he was in begun to dispense dinner among the a state of half frantic intoxicatión. guests. Lord Balveny received them The Master of Balveny, faccording with cold politeness; but Wilminą, to the usual etiquette, should have always conciliating, rose to welcome opened the ball with his new ally; he them with expressions of kindness, declined the honour, calling aloud uttered in a tone of diffident and upon Sylvester to act as his substisweet agitation. The Master of tute, because, în dismounting at the Balveny hardly touched her cheek gate, he had wrenched his anelé; and as he stiffly saluted her; she did not could not dance with their young moventure to raise her eyes, when the ther. Sylvester made a ceremonious frenzied pressure of Sylvester's lips, bow to Lady Balveny a tremor and the wild grasp of his hands, seized all her joints as she rose in made her look up: she became dead- compliance; but a sense of dignity, ly pale, and would have fainted, if not unmixed with some conscioushe had not raised her in his arms, ness, that her beauty and magnifiand almost dashed her on the chair cence were the gaze and admiration she left in compliment to him and his of the high-born throng, gave her brother. In the son of her hoary spirits, which the music and exhilaspouse she beheld the youth whose rating exercise sustained, as she mov"dark bright eyes" had made inefface-ed along with graceful agility. The able impressions on her heart. A feeling almost amounting to criminality mingled with the horrible discovery, and she must have sunk amidst the tumult of agonizing sensations, if a dread of exposure had not im

pelled he
her to exertion. Besides, the
haughty demeanour of the Master of
Balveny piqued her pride; and she
could have braved every danger or
hardship to shew him, that the blood
of the Lindsays and Homes would
not bend to the supercilious rude-
ness of any Douglasv

Sylvester, defying his fate, seated himself by one of the most brilliant beauties of the court, and talked with volubility, or laughed with noisy mirth, to display his indifference to an event that wrung his inmost soul.

immoderate quantity of wine inflamed the vehement, passions which Sylvester had never sought to controul; he forgot all but the enchantment of Wilmina's loveliness; and as he handed her to a seat, he whispered, in accents of despondency.Qongther too dear mother! that name rends the heart of Sylvester, the son of Balvenyed ynidion answ

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The sentence was scarcely spoken, when its guilt, folly, and self-terelietion glared before the consciencestricken Sylvester; his heads-grew dizzy, he staggered, and fell upon a gentleman, who, having observed the change in his countenance, hastened to assist him Wilmina, in desperation, gathered presence of mind to repress her emotion, and her com

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