Clair's raptures were completely thrown away upon uncle Adam, who cared not a rush what she or any one else thought of his property, and he followed rather than led the way through his own house, with a kind of dogged impatience, as if his only wish were to be out of it. This was not lessened, when the news of his appearance having spread, he found himself beset by a host of retainers, indigenous to an extensive and neglected property. Grieves, gardeners, gamekeepers, tenants at will, and tenants on lease, all came thronging with wants to be supplied, and grievances to be redressed, and all looking with evil eyes on the visitors, in the fear of their becoming residents, and so ending their respective reigns; while the housekeeper, as she went swimming on before in all the conscious dignity of undisturbed power, detailed at great length all her own doings and sayings, with the various means used by her for the preservation of the furniture, and the annihilation of mice, moths, " clocks, beetles, and beasts of every description."

"Things are no just in the order I could wish," said the old curmudgeon of a gardener, as he unwillingly led the way to the kitchen-garden;

"and there's an awfu' heat here; you'd better no come in for fear o' cauld, leddies," as he produced the key of the extensive range of hot-houses; and, with a sour face, found himself compelled to fill a large basket with the choicest of fruits, which he had more profitable ways of disposing of.

At length Mr Ramsay's patience was exhausted, and they set off loaded with the most exquisite fruits and flowers, which, as he possessed not the organs of either taste or smell for ought beyond haggis and southernwood, he looked upon merely as a sort of artificial excrescences which grew about large houses.

"Noo," said he, addressing Gertrude, as he seated himself in the chaise, "I dinna begrudge this, if it's to do you ony gude-and, as I tell't you before, gang whan you like, and tak what you like-but dinna ask me to gang wi' you; for I'm ower auld noo to be plagued and deeved about drains, and fences, and young plantations, out o' doors; and pipes, and plaster, and aw the rest o't, within-and the gardener he canna get the apples keepit—and the gamekeeper, he canna keep the pheesants preserved-an' I'm sure I dinna care though there was nae an apple or a

pheesant in the kingdom, if they wud only let me alane."

"It unquestionably would be a great advantage to the place, as well as a relief to you, to have the house occupied, with some one who could take a judicious management"-began Mrs St Clair; but a bitter look from her uncle made her perceive she was treading on dangerous ground, and she allowed the noise of the carriage to drown the rest of the sentence.

CHAPTER XIII.

Lord of love! what law is this,

That me thou makest thus tormented be?

SPENSER.

THEY were returning by a different road from that which they had taken in going, and had not proceeded far when they were suddenly hailed by a pedestrian from the side of the road, and Major Waddell was immediately recognized. The chaise was stopped, and mutual salutations having been exchanged, was again about to proceed, when the Major entered so vehement a remonstrance against their passing his door, without inquiring in person after his dear Isabella, that, as they were within a few yards of the gate, it was scarcely possible for even uncle Adam to hold out; and, accordingly, preceded by the Major, the chaise turned up the romantic winding approach which con

ducted to the mansion. Black Cæsar, bowing and grinning, hastened to receive them, and usher them into the presence of massa's lady, who, in all her bridal finery, sat in the attitude of being prepared to receive her marriage guests. Having welcomed Mrs and Miss St Clair with a tone and manner of encouraging familiarity-" And my uncle, too! -this is really kind.-I assure you I'm quite flattered, as I know how seldom you pay visits to anybody."

Mr Ramsay had entered with the heroic determination of not opening his lips during his stay -he therefore allowed that to pass with a sort of scornful growl; but Mrs St Clair, in her softest manner, took care to let her know, that the visit was neither a premeditated nor a complimentary one, and that she owed it entirely to their accidental rencontre with the Major.

"Bless me, Major!" exclaimed the lady in a tone of alarm, "is it possible that you have been “is walking?—And the roads are quite wet !—Why did you not tell me you were going out, and I would have ordered the carriage for you, and have gone with you, although I believe it is the etiquette for a married lady to be at home for some