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for wad she do that?-they wadna be a true freend that wad hide a man's danger frae himwe're aw ready enough to hide it frae oursells, and forget the care o' our ain immortal sowls."

"You have seen your minister, then, I suppose ?"

"Oo aye, honest man! he ca's in nows and thans, and muckle edification I get frae him ;" then calling to his dame, he began to comfort her for the loss she had sustained, as though it had been her own holiday suit.

"What a shocking woman!" exclaimed Gertrude, as they quitted the cottage; "how worse than unfeeling to have prepared her husband's dead-clothes, and have them even displayed before his eyes in that manner!"

"She certainly is not a favourable specimen of a Scotch gudewife," answered Mr Lyndsay; "but I have seen the most affectionate wife talk of the death of her husband, even while administering to his wants with the greatest solicitude -but they are much less sophisticated in their ideas upon these subjects than we are they would think it highly wrong to use any deception at such a time."

"But how shocking to hear one's death talked of as inevitable"

"But they do not talk of it in that mannerthey believe that all things are possible with God -they send for the doctor as they do for the minister, and pray for a blessing on the means used -they leave all in the hand of God. I have seen many on their death-beds in various circumstances, and I have always found that they who were in the habit of hearing of death and eternity -of conversing with their ministers and religious people-have, generally speaking, looked forward to death with resignation and composure."

"I can, indeed, easily imagine," said Lady Rossville," that the poor man we have just left must look forward to Heaven with great complacency, were it only to be rid of that tormenting creature, and out of that vile smoky cabin."

"A smoky house and a scolding wife have, indeed, always been looked upon as the ne plus ultra of human misery; but this is only amongst the rich-when you have seen more of the poor, will be satisfied there are still greater evils

you

you are still a novice in the miseries of life, Gertrude."

Perhaps so, and yet" she stopped, and sighed, and they proceeded homewards in silence.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Shee hath forgott how many a woeful stowre
For him she late endured; she speaks no more
Of past; true is it that true love hath no powre
To looken backe.-

SPENSER.

ALL must have felt what it is in this ungenial clime to part with a fine day. It seems as though we were bidding farewell to some long-lost friend, and we love to watch even with pensive regret the last rays of the softly sinking sun, as we would trace the lingering steps of some loved one, who it may be long ere we behold again.

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Fatigued as I am, still I must enjoy this lovely day to the last," said Lady Rossville, as they approached the Castle, and she threw herself on a garden chair that stood upon the lawn; "it is one that sends such a summer feeling to the heart,' that I feel as though I were a better being, while sitting here listening to the faint

notes of that sweet thrush, than I should be shut up in the drawing-room with Lady Betty and Miss Pratt."

"It is much more agreeable at least," said Lyndsay, also seating himself—" as to its being more amiable and virtuous, I-fear, I may scarcely lay that flattering unction to my soul. I am apt to distrust myself since"

"Since when ?" asked the Countess.

"Since I knew you, Gertrude."

This seemed rather to have burst from his lips involuntarily, than to have been uttered deliberately; and there was something in the tone which made Gertrude start, as a vague suspicion darted across her mind that Lyndsay loved her. But she had scarcely time to admit the idea, ere it was as quickly dispelled; for, when she turned to look on him, the earnest expression with which he was regarding her, fled; and, in a gay manner, he added

"I flattered myself I had been an infinitely wiser, better, and more respectable person than I find I am for I begin to feel myself, under your influence, gradually sinking into a soft, simple, neathanded, somewhat melancholic sort of a souffre

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