"True, in that character ye have a right to my confidence; ye must ken, then, that in my younger days, I was vary bonnie, and much coorted by the men, and envied by the women, baith for my beauty and tolents."

"That I can easily believe, ma'am." "You're vary polite, doctor. Weel, among mony ither admirers, I was coorted by a young Heeland officer, who shall be nameless; he was struck wi' me at first sight, when I was just plainly dressed in a simple, prented, cotton sack, as we ca'd them, a loose morning-gown, my hair in a bunch o' curls on my brow, wi' a sprinkling o' pooder, and on my head a wee bit muslin ornament o' my ain devising. Noo, Dr. Job...."

Dr. Job, as she called him, pronouncing his name like that of the Job of holy writ, began to think he should require all the pa

tience of his namesake.

"I canna say I exoctly retoorned the luve o' Donald o' the brae; nor can I say I was indifferent to his attentions; he proposed, but the siller was wanting, and he went abroad

broken-hearted. I ken na whether he lived or died, but, as I never heard o' him fra that day to this, I fear he mad away wi' himsel -such things are too common, ye ken, Dr. Job."

Dr. Jobb groaned in acquiescence.

66

Weel, it is na mair than a few weeks ago that I met here wi' two early Scotch friends, who shall be nameless. One evening, ain o' them comes to wait on me wi' a pictur round her neck; I asked her whose it wasjoodge o' my surprise ond dismay - it was na ither than Donald o' the brae! On this, high words passed between us. Grizzy Douglas amaist accused me o' leeing, and quite insulted me. She required proofs o' Donald's devotion-I sent her these letters; I ha them by me; ye can cast your eye over them. She could na resist such evidence, and she has left London quite crestfallen; but the agitation, the doot, and the strange appearance o' Donald's pictur round her neck, ha' quite upset they've cae'd bock past times and past regrets. I feel mair unaisy than ever to ken

me -

VOL. II.

I

what is become o' Donald o' the brae; and, though the triumph is a' on my side, yet, as Grizzy is ill, and well-nigh broken-hearted, I canna but feel for her too."

"A most melancholy tale, madam," said Jobb, stifling a laugh, till the water sparkled in his eyes.

"Ye may weel say that, sir; and noo ye ken a'."

"Exactly, madam, and I must order you first a few composing-draughts, and then a few tonics. These letters, by your leave, I will take with me." Jobb's curiosity was extinguished; he had remarked their date of forty years before.

"They are safe in your hands, doctor-I vally them beyond a' things."

"As in your own, madam. Your conversation has made me forget the flight of time and my other patients. Farewell, madamI know not how to express my happiness in having obtained the confidence of a lady of such accomplishments."

"Dr. Job, you're most polite-I beg I may

see you again before nightfall: by that time you'll ha' perused my letters-I'll be glod to have them bock agen."

"By that time," thought Jobb," you shall be asleep, if there's any power in my composing-draughts."

CHAPTER XXXIX.

"Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it."

Macbeth.

“What did you bleed him for? now, tell me, villain! “Sir,' he replied, ‹ I bled him—for a shilling.”” COLMAN.

Mr. Jobb then proceeded to the apartment of Mr. Grunter. He found him propped up by pillows, listening attentively to Mr. Fitzcribb, who had brought him a new proof of "The History of Philosophy and the Philosophy of History." The author's pride spoke in Grunter's hollow eyes, and flushed his livid cheeks. Corrected, and indeed remodelled by Fitzcribb, who read with peculiar taste and emphasis, the chapter had a most sonorous sound. Grunter was much excited.

"Do you hear that?" he exclaimed to Jobb, who came in, authoritatively shaking