Mr. O’Rourke, conceiving himself by his marriage not merely the heir but the rightful proprietor of the Etterick fortune, had chosen to assume the state and importance he considered befitting such a character. Being naturally arrogant and overbearing, he treated Etterick with an insolence and contempt which he could not bear. This deportment rather gave a shake to the laird’s new religion, which, hastily built, and on a very slight foundation, had never been secure. Moreover he happened to get an insight into the preacher’s real dispositions and morals, and had evidence which he could not possibly doubt, that this saint, like many other saints, was a profligate sinner. This discovery (being a quiet and peaceable man) he did not communicate to the females of the family; but, renouncing Methodism, he immediately repaired to his old friend the parson of the parish, and by his advice made such a settlement of his affairs as would preclude Mr. O’Rourke’s interference in any of his property. The clergyman had gone to Edinburgh to have a deed for this purpose properly and legally formed. Trustees were intended, and the blanks left for their names. The laird proposed that they should be his brother, nephew, an eminent counsellor, and Mr. Kerr the clergyman.--An event long wished for, though unexpected when it actually happened, interrupted the execution of this deed: this was the death of the dowager, who, after having spent the evening very cheerfully over a rubber at whist, and afterwards very piously in prayers and meditations, and, lastly, very heartily over a hot supper, had withdrawn to her apartment; where without any ceremony she departed this life about midnight. Her daughter and grand-daughter hoped she was only in a fit. “By G--d,” said Roger, who had been that evening very free with his bottle, “’tis a fit that will last till the day of judgment.” The old lady having never entertained any apprehensions that death was a probable contingency, had made no will, so that all her property devolved upon Etterick. In this state of things the laird, hearing that his brother was ill, hastened to Yorkshire, and arrived when, as we have seen, the colonel was recovered. Having explained all these circumstances, and requested his brother’s acceptance of the trust, the colonel told him, he was thoroughly convinced that his life would be very short, and advised him to insert the name of Dr. Wentbridge. The advice was accepted, and a deed was executed accordingly. The laird, having of late been extremely uncomfortable at home, was in no great hurry to return; and, after frequent consultations with his friends, instructed his counsellor in Edinburgh to repair to Etterick, and inform his daughter, that for various reasons he was resolved that Mr. O’Rourke and he should not live in the same house, that a suitable allowance should be made for her establishment, but that they must remove immediately. The lady of Etterick, in addition to her spirit of