cheerfulness attend you to an abode which I promise not to disturb by any discontents.” Sir Murdock, who had not for an _instant_ taken his eyes off me, started when I ceased speaking, and for _several_ moments appeared extremely agitated; his countenance varied with the oppression within, and he paced the room once or twice in profound silence. At length, with collected firmness, he said, I had surprised him. “I am not prepared to answer Miss Cowley’s suspicions of Mr. Flamall,” said he, addressing the counsellor, “but I know that I have had no sinister views in coming hither. I have no designs either on her person or property; nor can I easily conceive that Mr. Flamall has. We were strangers till very lately, to all that regards this young lady. The proposed alliance was transmitted to us, as an argument in favour of the plan now under consideration. It produced the effect Mr. Flamall wished, it conquered our reluctance to receiving under our roof a stranger to our habits of life. These are so retired, that we naturally judged they could not be agreeable to a young lady; and we should have persisted in our refusal, had not Mr. Flamall pointed out to us the propriety of the measure he recommended. If Miss Cowley, or Miss Cowley’s friends, be not satisfied with what I have asserted,” added he, spreading his hand on his chest and colouring, “I would not for all the riches in the world have her under my protection; but I have yet to learn, that Sir _Murdock Maclairn_ has been judged a fit agent for dishonour!” His eyes were again turned on me, they instantly softened, and I saw he trembled. “Say no more, my good Sir,” cried I with my usual eagerness, and taking his hand, “I bless Providence for conducting me to you, under the necessity which forces me to quit Heathcot. I will love Lady Maclairn for _your sake_, and tell her, that I am grateful to you for hearing me with so much patience.” Never shall I forget him, Lucy, when with a countenance expressive of the utmost sensibility, he said to Counsellor Steadman with solemnity—“She will be safe as the child of my bosom. She will be guarded by a vigilance equal to your own and Mr. Hardcastle’s. As a deposit sent by Heaven, I will receive her.” Do you know that I was so affected that I wept, and repented of having urged him to this explanation. Mr. Steadman assured him, that he was perfectly satisfied, and the conversation gradually became less interesting. I mentioned with diffidence my friend Mrs. Allen. “My wife will rejoice to find you bring a companion with you,” said he; “she fears that you will think Tarefield very dull. My bad health has produced a love of home in her, as well as myself, that will not easily be overcome.” “Be under no fears on that head,” observed I, smiling, “I am one of those profound philosophers who are never alone.” He smiled in his turn at my vivacity. “You will like my wife, Miss Cowley,” said he, “she is the gentlest and the best of women.