and uncle Adam walked in, with his antique peruke, and blue boot-hose-for he had now got so tame, that he had learnt to walk the house at all hours of the day. He was not aware of the arrival of a stranger, otherwise he would certainly have skulked till the last moment-if, indeed, he would not actually have fled the country to his own city of refuge in Barnford. Colonel Delmour surveyed him for a moment from head to foot with unfeigned astonishment, when Lady Rossville introduced him as her uncle, Mr Ramsay. He then, quickly recovering himself, saluted him with a bow, twice repeated, so condescendingly profound, and with such an air of high breeding, as formed a ludicrous contrast to uncle Adam's awkward, repulsive gait, and dry. uncouth manner. The latter possessed too much tact not to feel what was implied, and that such lofty courtesy only betokened one, "proud enough to be humble," and a new stock of wrath began to ferment within him-that on hand having previously been disposed of at the expense of Dame Lowrie's dead-clothes. For the first time, Lady Rossville blushed for her relation; but ashamed to show that she was ashamed, she hastened to make some remark to him on the scene they had witnessed in the cottage; then, as if afraid to hear him answer, she went on-" But I must tell the story, and my cousin Lyndsay will help me in my Scotch; and with her musical voice, and refined accents, she attempted to take off the barbarous dialect of the cottars; but when she came to the denouement, uncle Adam burst out with "The impudent thief! She deserved to hae been sent the same gate as her duds!" Colonel Delmour absolutely stared, and that was a great deal for a man like Colonel Delmour to do. Lady Rossville, covered with confusion, tried to laugh, but the thought that Colonel Delmour was shocked with her uncle, made it rather a difficult matter. Luckily, at that moment, her servant entered to say that Mrs St Clair had returned from her airing, and begged to see her ladyship immediately. The Countess rose to obey the summons. Colonel Delmour attended her to the door, pressed her hand, whispered some soft nothing in her ear, to which she replied with a blush and a smile, then calling his servant, said he should go to dress, while she repaired to her mother's apartment. CHAPTER XXXIII O! how this spring of life resembleth SHAKESPEARE. "Is it "WHAT is this I hear ?" was the exclamation that greeted Gertrude on her entrance. possible that Colonel Delmour has had the effrontery to come to this house? Is it credible that you have had the weakness to receive him under your roof after what has passed ?" "I know nothing that ought to render Colonel Delmour an unsuitable or an unwelcome guest in my house," answered the Countess, endeavouring to speak calmly and decidedly. "Then you do not know that as the poor, dependent Gertrude St Clair, he slighted, disowned, and in a manner rejected you; and that now, as Countess of Rossville, he flies to you, worships you, would marry you? Is it not so, and did I not foretell how it would be ?" "While we view Colonel Delmour's conduct in such different lights, 'tis impossible we should agree. Mama, I beseech you, say no more. I am satisfied-completely-perfectly satisfied, that he has acted all along from the noblest and most disinterested motives." "How has he proved that? Who is there credulous enough to believe his averments of disinterested affection ?-Why should they be believed? What right has he to expect such monstrous credulity ?" "The right which every generous mind feels it has upon the faith and confidence of another." "Gertrude, your words are those of a childI may say of a fool. Who else could be weak enough to credit assertions contradicted by the whole tenor of the man's conduct ?" "Be it so then!" cried Lady Rossville, vainly struggling to retain her composure; "I am a child-a fool-for I believe in Colonel Delmour's truth and honour. The prejudices of the whole world would not shake my conviction." "And what is to be the consequences of your madness? Will you dare to brave my authority, and marry him against my consent ?" cried Mrs St Clair, giving way to one of her transports of passion. Lady Rossville remained silent. “Speak, I desire you," continued she, with increasing impetuosity; "I repeat, will you dare to marry him against my consent ?” 66 "Mama, I have twice solemnly passed my word to you, that I will not marry until I have attained the age of twenty-one." "If you would have me to trust to that, then, till that period arrives, dismiss your lover-this very day let Colonel Delmour leave your house, and leave you free:-consent to that, and I will believe you sincere." "Impossible!" exclaimed the Countess, in agitation." How can you require of me to act in such a manner ?" "Then leave it to me. I am the fittest person to act for you in this matter. I will see Colonel Delmour myself;" and she was moving towards the door, when Gertrude laid her hand upon her arm, and, with a cheek coloured with resentment, exclaimed-" If my friends are to be turned from under my roof, then is my own house no longer a |