not interfere at all; remember Lord Gripeall. Oh! what a lesson was that to all matchmakers! I shall never forget the deep degradation of that odious affair-never feel quite restored to self-respect, while the recollection of it is a perpetual blister to my pride." "Ay, it was unfortunate, I own; but we see this through different mediums. He seemed so easy and affable; I had no idea he prided himself on his rank so much; however, I am quite sure, if you chose 66 Mamma, you have my promise to marry, within this year, either Julian or Sir Peter; it only holds good if that old monster is never named again by you to me!" 66 'Very well, my love-so let it be...... within the year." "Yes, but you are not to interfere." "I'm sure I've no wish to do so; it seems, I shall get more 'kicks than halfpence for my pains.' However, a word to the wise,' my dear, if you don't take care, 'between two stools, you'll fall to the ground."" Augusta left the room. "Pride will have a fall, I fear," soliloquized the mamma. "However, she shall make a good match, and I'll have a finger in the pie." CHAPTER XXV. "A violet by a mossy stone Is shining in the sky." WORDSWORTH. One morning, Ellen, who, since we last attended her to Pentonville, had paid several visits to the Douglases, received at a very early hour an invitation from Grizzy to breakfast with her. 66 "I leave London to-morrow, my dear Ellen Lindsay," she said, in her note," and I wish to speak wi' you on an affair o' great consequence to me. Come directly you receive this; we breakfast at half-past eight." Ellen had only time to order the carriage, to dress herself hastily, and to drive at full speed to "Bruce Cottage, Aberdeen Row" She found the two old spinsters at breakfast, and, the morning sun coming full into the room, she was painfully struck by the worn and sallow countenance, hollow eyes, and somewhat bent form of the gigantic and still proud old Grizzy. Babie was very playful, and in high spirits. She liked the idea of a journey. She had by no means given up all hopes of "settling in life," and she thought a casual admirer, met in a steam-vessel or a mail-coach, to whom she was quite a novelty, was more likely to turn into a husband than any one "fra' her ain countrie," who knew her age, her fortunes, and her many matrimonial disappointments. Though generally very economical, our spinsters were strictly national too; and, therefore, their table was covered with a Scotch breakfast. Tea, coffee, chocolate, bannocks, Scotch bread, marmalade, jellies, and fried fish, had been joyfully provided by Babie in honour of Ellen's visit, and graciously approved by Grizzy. An old Scotch magazine, and two papers of ancient date fra the north, formed the intellectual part of the repast, and were far dearer to the national old Grizzy, though their prophecies had been by that time either fulfilled or proved false, and the events they recorded were then "with the years beyond the flood," than any English paper wet from the press, and full of the "latest intelligence" from all parts of the globe. As for Babie, she was no politician, no blue, and the corner devoted to the "fashions" and "fashionable arrangements," and an occasional love sonnet, was all that had a charm for her roving eye and sentimental taste. Perhaps there is no constant youthfulness of feeling, but certainly with some there is a perpetual childhood of heart and mind, and this was the case with Babie. "Have ye na sent awa' the carriage?" she said, at the conclusion of the repast. "No," replied Ellen; "I cannot extend my visit beyond half an hour longer, or at most three quarters of an hour; my uncle always likes me to make breakfast for him." "Would you object to my just taking a |