cursion was with Mr Mervyn's barge across the lake, to the inn I have mentioned. You may imagine the agony with which I waited his return-Had he recognized Brown, who can guess the consequence? He returned, however, apparently without having made any discovery. I understand, that, in consequence of his late disappointment, he means now to hire a house in the neighbourhood of this same Ellangowan, of which I am doomed to hear so much-he seems to think it probable that the estate for which he wishes may soon be again in the market. I will not send away this -letter until I hear more distinctly what are his intentions."

"I have now had an interview with my father, as confidential, as, I presume, he means to allow me. He requested me to-day after breakfast, to walk with him into the library; my knees, Matilda, shook under me, and, it is no exaggeration to say, I could scarce follow him into the

room. I feared I knew not what-From my childhood I had seen all around him tremble at his frown. He motioned me to seat myself, and I never obeyed a command so readily, for, in truth, I could hardly stand. He himself continued to walk up and down the room. You have seen my father, and noticed, I recollect, the remarkably expressive cast of his features. His eyes are rather naturally light in colour, but agitation or anger gives them a darker and more fiery glance; he has a custom also of drawing in his lips, when much moved, which implies a combat between native ardour of temper and the habitual power of self-command. This was the

first time we had been alone since his return from Scotland, and, as he betrayed these tokens of agitation, I had little doubt that he was about to enter upon the subject I most dreaded.

"To my unutterable relief, I found I was mistaken, and that whatever he knew of Mr Mervyn's suspicions or discoveries,

he did not intend to converse with me on the topic. Coward as I was, I was inex pressibly relieved, though if he had really investigated the reports which may have come to his ear, the reality could have been nothing to what his suspicions might have conceived. But, though my spirits rose high at my unexpected escape, I had not courage myself to provoke the discussion, and remained silent to receive his commands.

Julia,' he said, 'my agent writes me from Scotland, that he has been able to hire a house for me, decently furnished, and with the necessary accommodation for my family-it is within three miles of that I had designed to purchase.'Then he made a pause, and seemed to expect an

answer.

'Whatever place of residenee suits you, sır, must be perfectly agreeable to me.' 'Umh!—I do not propose, however, Julia, that you shall reside quite alone in this house during the winter.'

"Mr and Mrs Mervyn, thought I to

myself. Whatever company is agreeable to you, sir.'

O, there is a little too much of this universal spirit of submission; an excellent disposition in action, but your constantly repeating the jargon of it puts me in mind. of the eternal salams of our black dependants in the East. In short, Julia, I know you have a relish for society, and I intend to invite a young person, the daughter of a deceased friend, to spend a few months with us.'

Not a governess, for the love of Heaven, papa!' exclaimed poor I, my fears at that moment totally getting the better of my prudence.

No, not a governess, Miss Mannering,' replied the Colonel, somewhat sternly, but a young lady from whose excellent example, bred as she has been in the school of adversity, I trust you may learn the art to govern yourself.'

"To answer this was trenching upon too dangerous ground, so there was a pause. "Is the young lady a Scotchwoman, papa?

"Yes, dryly enough.

'Has she much of the accent, sir?'

Of the devil!' answered my father hastily; do you think I care about a's and aa's, and i's and ee's?-I tell you, Julia, I am serious in the matter. You have a genius for friendship, that is, for running up intimacies which you call such-(was not this very harshly said, Matilda ?)— Now I wish to give you an opportunity at least to make one deserving friend, and therefore I have resolved that this young lady shall be a member of my family for some months, and I expect you will pay to her that attention which is due to misfortune and virtue.'

Certainly, sir.-Is my future friend red

haired?'

"He gave me one of his stern glances;