"Who is this Leslie who finds such a patron in Lyndsay ?” inquired Colonel Delmour.

"He is a very interesting young man, who is engaged to my cousin, Anne Black, and the want of a church has hitherto been the only obstacle to the marriage-How happy it makes me to have it in my power to remove it-Pray, reach me my writing stand, and I shall settle that sur le champ."

But instead of obeying, Delmour took the hand she had impatiently extended, and said—

"Is it possible, my dear Gertrude, you can be serious in this? Can you really think, for a moment, of having your relations placed so near you in so inferior a situation? Only consider, the manse is almost close by the gate—that is of lit tle consequence with people who have no claim upon you; but really the Countess of Rossville and her cousin, the minister's wife, thus brought in contact, there is confusion in the thought."

Lady Rossville looked displeased, then said,"My cousin is a person I never can feel ashamed of."

"Not as she is; but as she will be, when she degenerates into the minister's wife with her printed

gown and black mittens, with a troop

of half-licked cubs of children at her heels, and the minister himself, honest man! at their head, with his lank locks, and his customary suit of rusty blacks, all coming to visit, perchance to dine with their cousin the Countess !"

"If you are ashamed of my relations, you ought to have said so sooner," said Gertrude, struggling with her emotion; 66 as it is, it is not yet too late

"Dearest Gertrude, how seriously you take my badinage; but you must be sensible that, where the difference of rank and station is so great between near relations, the local affinity had as well not be quite so close; your own good sense and delicate perception must point out to you the inevitable disagréments that must ensue; the slights that will be felt; the offences that will be taken; the affronts that will be imagined.”

"My cousin is not a person of that sort,” said Gertrude;" and, I am sure, her near vicinity would be a source of great pleasure to me. I like her society, and should have her often with me." "You may at present; but, be assured, that could not possibly continue; you must move in

such different spheres, and must associate with such different people, that 'tis impossible you could act or think alike: For instance, you told me that the Duchess of Arlingham, the Arabins, Lady Peverley, Mrs Beechey, and I know not all who, had promised to pay you a visit at Rossville this summer, and to take parts in your theatricals, if you can have the theatre ready: how do you suppose the minister and his wife could relish, or be relished by those of your friends ?"

sin

“But I am in a manner pledged to my cou

"Not for this church, surely?"

"No; not for this one in particular; but I repeatedly assured her that, whenever I had it in my power, I would befriend her, and now it is

"Dearest Gertrude, it is not in your power, that is, if I possess that influence with you, I have hitherto flattered myself I did; on that faith, in the transaction I had lately with Harry Monteith relating to my exchange into the Guards, I ventured to promise that the first church that was in your gift, as the phrase is, you would—that is-I would engage your inter

8

est in behalf of his old tutor-quite a charity case, as he represented it; a married man with a large family, and I forget all the particulars; but, at the time, it struck me as a thing that would interest you."

Lady Rossville's colour rose during this speech, and for some moments she remained silent, as if struggling with her feelings; at last she said"You have taken a strange liberty, it seems, and one which I cannot easily pardon."

At that moment a servant entered to say her Ladyship's horses were at the door.

"Desire them to be put up; I shall not ride to-day,” said she, and taking up Lyndsay's letter, she quitted the room, leaving Delmour too much piqued, as well as surprised at this display of spirit to make any attempt to detain her. He, however, lounged a considerable time at the breakfasttable, expecting her return, tossed over all the litter of new publications, and music, and expensive toys that lay scattered about; touched her harp to ascertain whether it were in tune, and broke two of the strings; stirred the fire, although the room was suffocating; then threw open a window, exclaiming at the smell of a tuberose; but

still Gertrude did not return, carriage after carriage was sent from the door, and even Lady Charles was not admitted. At length his patience was exhausted, he wrote-" Dearest Gertrude, see me but for one moment as you love me," and ringing the bell, he desired it might be conveyed to Lady Rossville. A verbal answer was returned; her ladyship was sorry she was particularly engaged, and Delmour, too proud to sue any further, left the house in a transport of indignation.