have a far greater relish, than the profit arising from acting contrary to them. I cannot describe to you what pleasure I felt when I first met this young man, and, above all, when I discovered that he was certainly the son of him who saved my life. The desire of having him under my roof, and of showing him what little kindness I could, was irresistible; and the satisfaction I experienced when he accepted my invitation, was such as I have not been blessed with for many a day. But Sandy is of so coarse a clay, that he cannot comprehend the luxury of indulging sentiments of this sort,—nay, he has not the slightest conception of their existence. When necessity, drives, I have as little scruple as he has with the common herd of mankind. Then I am like the hunter who levels his rifle at the deer on the open mountain;-but who, that can call himself man, would strike down the tame stag that feeds from his hand? Then he cannot see, that even policy requires the occasional sacrifice of something, to the preservation of character. He does not consider, that the entertaining of a stranger thus, will silence all those suspicious floating reports, at least as far as they regard us, and will be the means of enabling us to pursue our

trade with double advantage, and with increased security, for many a day to come. But be easy, wife, regarding this young man ; trust me I would sooner lose my own life than that a hair of his head should be harmed. This I have determined; and you know, that when my determination is once taken, nothing can shake it. As for Sandy, he is a savage dog. My indolence has made me allow him to take his own way; but you are well aware how easily I can muzzle him; and as for the rest, they are at my command.”

“But are you sure," said Mrs Macgillivray, “that he has no suspicions ?"

"Suspicions!no!" replied Lochandhu How should he?-Methought, indeed, he liked not over much the appearance of Macrory and his lads. But I put it all off by talking of a market. By the bye, Macrory has made a fine haul of Windlestraw's cattle; they will be on our hill to-morrow morning, and the fellow shall have a handsome share, for the clever way in which he has managed it. Better thriven beasts never were seen.-Suspicions!”—added he, after a long pause—“ If he were to have suspicions indeed-self-preservation might-But no, it's impossible. He never ean

have suspicions here. What can he see, or what can he hear, that should excite the smallest spark of suspicion? You know the proverb, 'A wise fox keeps his own hole clean.' Have not some of the best gentlemen of Scotland been my guests at times? And do I not visit in all the houses of note in the country? Who has a fairer character than the Laird of Lochandhu? Pshaw! trust meit shall never be the worse for this young man's visit. But, come," said he rising, "we'll talk more of this anon. Meanwhile, let's to bed, for I am somewhat tired."

In the middle of the night Amherst was awakened from a deep sleep, he knew not very well how, and starting up, he beheld, seated squat on the edge of the bed-the Dwarfie Carline!!!— The light of the moon shone powerfully upon her -the fore-finger of her right hand was at her lips commanding silence, and she waved it behind her towards the door, to indicate that the least noise would alarm the house, and cause her immediate disappearance.

Speak!—what are you, mysterious being?— What would you with me?" said Amherst, in an under tone.

"No light matter makes me have converse

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with mortal man!" said she, in a low murmuring, but distinct and solemn voice. 66 Thy vows are plighted to Eliza Malcolm-forget them notthey are already registered in Heaven!" and as she said so, she raised her hand slowly upwards.

Amherst uttered not a word, but remained with his eyes intently fixed on hers. She then pulled two long hairs from her head, and twisting them together in an instant, she hastily tied one end of them round his finger, whilst she held by the other.

"These two hairs," said she, " are as oneone cannot be broken without the other being snapt; so is your fate twined with that of Eliza Malcolm. For her sake, you are at present the object of my care-deserve it then! This abode is not without danger. Yet be prudent and fear not! -But, mark!" said she, with a terrible frown

happen what will-leave not these mountains till you again see me.-Remember!—your happiness is in my hands !-disobey my injunctions, and you are lost for ever!-Remember!" added she again, with an increased earnestness of manner, as pointing and raising the fore-fingers of both hands, she brought them quickly down, with

an action calculated to enforce her mysterious warning. Then, without assistance from her arms, she sprang backwards from off the bed, nearly to the door, yet so lightly as hardly to be heard. From the position in which Amherst lay, he could not see the door. He jumped from the bed to examine it-it was shut the figure was gone, and he heard not a sound.

Some minutes had elapsed before Amherst could convince himself that he was not dreaming. He felt the pressure of the hairs, which still remained tied round his finger, and he became convinced of the reality of what had taken place. He knew not what to think of so extraordinary a visitation; had she not made use of the talismanic name of Eliza Malcolm, it is probable he might have treated her solemn injunctions with very little respect; but, as it was, he dwelt upon them with a serious determination to obey them.' To explain their object, however, he found some what difficult. Why should she command his stay in a part of the country so far from her he loved? unless indeed it might be to give time for the removal of Lord Eaglesholme's mysterious objections, by circumstances of which she was