rise!—or have not a broad laugh ready on every occasion, eh? But it is quite in vain to talk to you. We shall see what a reform will take place when you go to town; that is to say, if you have any sense. In the mean time I leave you to enjoy your ruralities, your roses, and streams; now and then a ghost, perchance, may enliven you."

"Oh, sister! dear sister!" cried Lady Emily, cowering near Lady Frances, "do not make a joke of that. You know what we saw. You know that I am the veriest coward alive; and, as to what regards powers beyond mortal ken, I would leave them untouched upon by mortal presumption."

"You are really too silly, or too hypocritical. Good night. Time and London may mend youI cannot. Good night!"

The next day Lady Frances took her leave courteously of the inhabitants of the Hall. She did not even attempt to appear sorry upon the occasion

n; but a hearty burst of tears fell from Emily's eyes as she strained her sister to her bosom; to which the latter replied by settling her pelerine, which had been disarranged; and, declaring that she hated scenes and scene-making, gracefully de

parted. This heartlessness helped to dry Emily's tears the quicker; and she put on all her smiles and artless arts to comfort her uncle for Lady Frances's departure.

The loss of an accustomed face, which is endeared by habit, if by no tenderer tie, makes a sad blank in a domestic circle; and although Frances was not Emily, she was still very dear to her uncle, and her beauty recreated his eyes. How much the very aspect of the young enlivens the aged!

"She is gone, poor thing!" said General Montgomery, looking at the place which she was accustomed to occupy at the dinner-table; "she is gone to that gay world, which she thinks of but as a show-box, and herself as the fairest show in it. She knows not what deadly snares lurk there. She knows not how false and hollow are all its pursuits when it is from them alone that happiness is expected :—this must be proved by experience; preaching will never convey the lesson. But you, you, my Emily, that cozening world will not, surely, prove so false to you; because you look at it through another medium : it will, therefore, in all probability, disappoint

you less. But are you certain, dearest and best,

that

you

do not repent of your choice in remaining here with me, instead of accompanying your sister, as you might have done ?"

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No, indeed, dear uncle, I have no wish but to remain with you. Where you stay, I like to stay; where you go, I like to go. I love gaiety and diversion; but I have so many pleasures at home, that the day is never long enough for enjoying them all. So why should I go elsewhere in quest of more ?"

"I used to think this really was your case, my best Emily; but of late your joyousness has been subdued. I trust, however, it is only poor Rose's fate that has affected you."

her

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"Ah! poor Rose!" and the big tear rushed to

eye and dimmed its sparkling; but she brushed it off hastily, "I have, indeed, no other cause for sorrow."

The General pressed her hand, and they were sure, at least, that they were happy in each other's affection.

"I want a word wi' ye, General, at your leisure, if you please," said Miss Macalpine, looking in at the half-opened door.

have now finished this business, and that, as soon as it is convenient, I shall hope to see you in town, where your presence will be necessary to the signature of some of the papers respecting this transaction. I have the honour to be, with much esteem and regard, &c. &c. yours,

"MOWBRAY."

"Oh! my dear, dear Alpinia, how very happy I am!" replied Lady Emily, overcome with a thousand sweet feelings, the source of which she did not very minutely analyze, and throwing her arms round Miss Macalpine's neck.

"A noble deed, truly," rejoined the General; I am sorry to add, for the sake of human nature, a rare and an uncommon deed; the gift, and the manner of the gift, speak the character of the man; so simple, so unostentatious!"

"Is it not quite delightful?" cried Lady Emily, her eyes sparkling with delight, her cheeks glowing with pleasure.

"It is, indeed, my dearest, and I give our worthy friend, Miss Macalpine, a thousand joys, and may the setting of her sun be brighter than its rising !"

"We'll no' speak o' what canna be mended. I am thankfu': but happiness and Marian Macalpine can no' be ane.

'The flowers o' the forest are a' wed awa'."

"My dear Miss Macalpine, there 's many a green leaf lingers when the summer's blossom is gone; may these, at least, be yours!-when a moment of brightness comes, it is a duty to bid it welcome."

"True; but did ye ever hear of ony thing happy occurring to ony ane, that they didna say, 'Oh, if such an ane were alive now to see it!' or 'oh, gin my health permitted me to enjoy it ;' or,

had I the strength o' limb, or o' eye-sight, or o' understanding," or something or ither that they had not, which didna tak' a grace frae that which they had; this is the way o't; it must needs be sae here. Nevertheless, I am thankfu’.”

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Very true, my good friend. There spoke the observer of human nature in human affairs; but let us only talk now of your being the Lady of Heatherden, where I hope you will allow us to pay you a visit; that is to say, if I am alive this time next year."