ready."

CHAPTER VII.

The solemn fop, significant and budge;
A fool with judges-among fools a judge :
He says but little, and that little said,
Owes all its weight, like loaded dice, to lead.

Cowper.

ISS ARMADALE had hardly reached her own apartment, when Nisbett hurried

in.

"Dear me, ma'am, how late you are -there's dinner going in, and you not

"I can't help it," said Margaret, sitting down, "I am very tired, Nisbett.”

"Yes, ma'am, but tired or not tired, you must be dressed, you know. Now do let me unfasten your gown, and do your hair."

"My head aches," said Miss Armadale, “if I was at home, Nisbett, I should go to bed."

"And I wish we were at home, ma'am, and you in your proper character: that's all I can say, for you've got enemies here. I beg your pardon, Miss Armadale, but just let me arrange those folds-indeed you'll be late." But Miss Armadale had fallen into one of her

fits of inertion, and would not be roused: and poor Nisbett had an arduous task in getting her dressed at all. Her head was full of nurse Wilton's story, and the probabilities of recovering Robert Grey; mixed up with thoughts of Alfred, and a hundred other things foreign to the purpose; and she for the time forgot she was not the heiress for whom every one would be proud to wait, but the poor dependent, who would be scolded without scruple: nor did this strike her, till she went down stairs, and found all gone to dinner. Then indeed, a nervous dread of Mrs. Crawford crept over her, and when she opened the door of the well-filled dining-room, the blood rushed up to the top of her forehead, and every thing appeared in a mist.

66

"The late Miss Esther," observed her hostess, with impressive emphasis on that very original remark, we began to think you were gone to bed." Miss Armadale faltered an apology; but her self-possession failed her entirely; and thankfully did she shrink to the obscurity of the side table, and the protection of Alfred, from the reproving glances of that awful family party. For all those worthy members were decidedly of opinion that her conduct in being late was unpardonable, and they did not scruple to say as much by their looks; and if the generous English beef had been "the black dinoure" of Earl Douglas himself, it could not have worn a more forbidding aspect. Miss Martin saw all this, and was

half vexed and half amused; but she had little time herself for observation, as every one was eager to talk to her, and one gentleman, who had been abroad, would talk about Florence-and one lady about Rockstone-and another about the late Mr. Armadale and Ferdinand was sitting by with his piquant anecdotes and tender whispers; and in short, everybody, with the exception of the rich Aunt Strapper, vied in making themselves agreeable.

Aunt Strapper, meanwhile, who saw a rival usurping her throne, was, to speak familiarly, in a glorious ill-humour; and vented it on Rory, who had been seated next her, with strict orders to be good and obedient: all which he fully intended to be, as it was Christmas day, but finding himself snapped at for everything he did, he laid down his knife and fork with a deep sigh. "Oh dear! I wish I was sitting next to Esther, that I do—she is never half so cross as you are!"

"Then pray go to her," said Mrs. Strapper, angrily, "I shall be delighted to get rid of you. Here Thomas! take Master Roderick's chair and plate to the side-table!" an order that was immediately obeyed.

"Come along, Rory," whispered Miss Armadale, who was gaining courage with her dinner, "we are both in a scrape, so we must comfort each other." Το say the truth, the select party at the side table did not seem in need of much comfort: the two merry schoolgirls, who had been consigned to the care of their

much put upon Cousin Alfred, never ceased laughing and talking, and their glee was contagious: they were not satisfied with being merry themselves: they would make Alfred and Margaret the same, and were not long in effecting their purpose. It must just be observed of these young ladies, Miss Cecilia and Miss Henrietta, that they were not particular in what they said; and fitness, wisdom, and discretion, were less consulted than they might have been: but what was lacking in sense was made up in fluency, which did just as well. They were charmed with Margaret at first sight, and finding what her position was, made no scruple of addressing her in familiar terms.

"I am so glad you came to sit here," said Cecilia, "Alfred is twice as talkative since you came; and do you know I was beginning to get frightened for you, though I did'nt know you from Adam. Aunt Crawford's face was like a thunder-storm;—you will catch it nicely, presently, you'll see."

"I hope not;" said Miss Armadale, in considerable alarm.

"Well, don't be frightened; we'll all take your part bless my heart, aint you used to scoldings? I am, and I never mind them at all. I used to, before I went to school, but I've had so many there, they come as natural now as my breakfast. I wish they would hand the mincepies this way: that's the worst of being at the side-table, you are always wooden spoon, as Tom says. Tom is at Cambridge, Miss Esther, and

a pretty deal of nonsense he seems to learn there. I wish to goodness the money was kept to take us to Brighton or Scarborough-it would be quite as useful, wouldn't it, and much more entertaining. Here comes the pudding, this is all very well, but I want the pies, and I shall shriek if they don't come presently. Well, Miss Esther, what makes you stare so?"

"What do you call this?" asked Miss Armadale, opening her large eyes to their utmost extent at the dark, rich-looking morceau set before her.

"Call it? why plum-pudding to be sure: where have you lived not to know that?"

"Abroad," said Margaret.

"Then it is high time you came home: now then, make haste and eat it, or you will not be married till I don't know when."

"A choice of evils," said Miss Armadale, gravely, "is this, then, really the celebrated pudding of which I have heard all my life, and must I really eat it? Is it a Christmas ceremony ? "

"To be sure it is: ask the Vicar. By the way, we are all going there to-morrow, I hear: that is good fun."

"All?” said Margaret, looking at the table in dis

may.

"All we young ones who are of no use, and all you elder ones who are of no consequence; including Alfred, of course: but you needn't look so alarmed— Aunt Strapper does not sleep here to-night."