"Who do you mean, Mrs. Crawford?" said the well tutored Miss Martin; "Oh-Esther, I suppose: where are you, child? I hope you have left nothing in the carriage-come and speak to Mrs. Crawford. Nisbett, I am afraid you are cold: my dear madam, may I take the liberty of requesting that she may have something hot immediately? she is not strong, and is too valuable to be trifled with."

"It shall be done directly, my dear young lady— Susan! Take Mrs. Nisbett to my dressing room, and let her have anything she likes best, immediately: — and Susan, (in a whisper) put her in the spare bedroom, and the young person in the north attic you

understand."

Susan and her charge accordingly departed on their comfortable errand: and the rest of the party having crowded round the distinguished guest, and ushered her into the dining-room, Margaret found herself, with her arms full of packages, left in the cold hall. Nobody seemed to remember her existence, and her position struck her as so vividly real, that her courage well nigh failed her at the onset. From such a disgrace however, she was saved by Alfred, whose kindness of heart struggling against his shyness, prompted him to show some civility to one who needed it so much. He hardly looked at her face: stammered painfully as he begged her to give him the shawls she was carrying; took them from her almost by force, and in so doing, broke an elegant smelling bottle, full of delicate and costly perfume.

"Good heavens, what an unlucky wretch I am!" exclaimed he, as he picked up the gold chased stopper, "Miss-Miss-"

"Esther," suggested Miss Armadale, quietly.

it's no use looking at it-it can't be helped; pray come and have some luncheon - I am so sorry and so annoyed-"

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Pray do not be unhappy about it, sir," said Margaret, "Miss Armadale will never miss it, for she was tired of it already." This was said so good humouredly, that Alfred began to recover, and ventured to look her in the face. A thrill shot through his frame; he coloured, stammered, looked again-tried to apologise - then hurriedly drawing her arm in his, led her into the dining-room.

Miss Martin, whose appetite was sadly impeded by the consciousness of her young lady's discomfort, brightened up when she entered, and greeted her with a smile; upon which Theodosia immediately asked her "what she would prefer." But the false heiress turning her head away again, Miss Crawford turned hers also, and Miss Armadale would have fared badly, but for the attentions of Alfred. He asked her what she could take three distinct times, without waiting for an answer: on her requesting chicken, zealously gave her veal cutlet; and then pressed her to take some currant jelly and bread-sauce. He handed her bread four times, passed the mustard twice, and finally overturned the saltcellar into her lap. Mar

garet only bowed and smiled; accepted his civilities, and rectified his mistakes with imperturbable good humour; that gave him courage to observe as she replaced the saltcellar on the table, "That is said to be a bad omen, Miss Esther: I trust it may not prove so to either of us in our future acquaintance." She looked up with a bright smile. "I trust not, indeed, Mr. Crawford: to bring you ill fortune would be a poor return for all the trouble you are taking about me."

"Alfred, I wish you would be quiet," interrupted his mother, with a sharpness that effectually silenced him; and, on the entrance of Ferdinand, who lounged gracefully in with his glass at his eye, he quietly gave up his seat, and stole out of the room. The dandy was introduced to Miss Martin, to whom he made his most finished bow: honoured Margaret with a stare, and then commenced a scientific attack on a perigord pie. Mr. Jack soon after appeared, nodded to the visitors, and sitting down by Miss Armadale, bewildered her by his appetite. But no Nelson arrived, and Mrs. Crawford grew irritable. The brief December afternoon was drawing to a close, and as it was too late for walking or driving, she proposed to show the false heiress her room. As soon as they left the table, followed at a modest distance by Miss Armadale, Theodosia exclaimed

Well, I never was more disappointed in any one than in Margaret Armadale!”

"Did you ever see such a fright?" added Miss Judith.

"Rather ancient-looking, certainly," observed Jack, "but as to the disappointment, girls, I should think you'll soon get over it; there never was a young lady yet that wished her neighbour good looks. It's us who are to complain-and I consider we are shamefully used we were told to expect a young beauty, and have got nothing but a demure-looking old maid."

"I shall contrive to survive it," said Ferdinand, as he pulled up his shirt-collar at the glass. "I don't care so much for beauty myself, where there is style and fashion. That Esther, or whatever you call her, is pretty enough."

"Pretty? she's an angel!" cried Jack. She's got every thing the other wants. If I were you, girls, I should feel very nervous about my prospects: take the word of an affectionate and admiring brother, no one will look at you while she is in the house!"

"That's as people think," said Theodosia sarcastically, as she left the room; "and as for our prospects, as you call them, they are better than hers, at any rate."

"My dear Miss Armadale," said her hostess, having shown her the various arrangements made for her comfort," I am very sorry I have not a room on this floor for Miss Esther. I thought you would like to have your maid close at hand, so I am obliged to put this young lady up stairs: but if you would prefer any

other arrangement". . . Miss Martin hesitated, and looked anxiously back at her leader, but receiving an admonitory glance, replied, "Oh dear no, thank you! it will do very well. Esther can sleep anywhere, can't you, child?"

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Certainly, ma'am," returned Margaret, humbly. "That's well," said Mrs. Crawford, nodding encouragingly, and looking at her from head to foot, "you will find your room comfortable I hope, my dear. Suppose you just go and look at it-any of the maids will show you the way,"—And opening the door to let her pass, she plainly intimated she wished to be alone with her guest. "Can I do any thing for you, Miss Armadale ?" said Margaret, with a slight trembling in her proud nostrils, that Miss Martin thoroughly understood, and rather amused her than otherwise. "No, child-not now-you had better see after your own things." Miss Armadale curtsied, and left them: the door was shut upon her, and she found herself alone in the middle of this large rambling house, without the remotest idea which way she was to turn. The absurdity and unpleasantness of her position struck her so forcibly, that she felt rather uncertain whether to laugh or to cry and while persuading herself to do neither, and glancing dubiously at the dark staircase she was expected to climb, a young man suddenly bounded along the gallery, whom she had not yet seen. Nelson, for it was that recreant returned in high good-humour, stopped short on see