methodism, had recently very much addicted herself to the spirit of brandy, and was between both in a state of perpetual intoxication, and incapable of attending to any business. When the intimation was given, O’Rourke declared he would have no objection to change quarters, but that he must have the whole of Mrs. Sourkrout’s fortune, and half the estate made over to him. The counsellor assured him that there was no such intention, but that he would inform the lady of the mansion and her daughter of the allowance which Mr. Hamilton of Etterick intended as a free gift to bestow on Mrs. O’Rourke. “Inform the lady of the mansion!” said O’Rourke, “inform a stupid old drunkard! tell me; I am the person chiefly concerned. I shall accept no less than I said, Mr. Counsellor, and if I were by that stupid old fool of a laird, I would make him agree to my terms.” The counsellor declining any farther conversation upon the subject, O’Rourke determined to set out immediately in quest of his father-in-law, not doubting but he would intimidate him to return home, and agree to whatever terms he should dictate. Adventurous without judgment, he never thought of the various obstacles he might have to encounter. He ordered the steward into his presence, and demanded an immediate account of the money he had in his hands. The man answered, he had settled with the laird before his departure. “Don’t tell me of the laird, I shall be laird here. What cash is there at the banker’s? I suppose about seven hundred pounds; give me a draft for five hundred. I want it immediately.” “You a draft for five hundred! I cannot give you a draft for a farthing without my master’s orders.” “Cannot you write a hand like your master’s?” “Sir,” said the steward, in indignant rage, “you may try that expedient if you please: and so good morning to you.” As the steward was a very strong athletic man, and the hero of the country for all manly exercises, the preacher, gigantic as he was, did not choose forcibly to prevent his departure. Calling for his horse, he rode to Selkirk, repaired to the bank, and being known as the son-in-law and heir apparent of Etterick, easily procured cash for a draft upon Edinburgh, for a hundred pounds, and ordering a chaise, set off in pursuit of the laird. On the way he determined to appropriate to himself the whole fortune, and to leave to the laird and his wife a small annuity. He anticipated opposition to his designs upon the laird from his Yorkshire connections, and had worked himself into a very violent rage against colonel Hamilton. The second day he stopped to dine at Weatherby, where he found the landlord so much to his mind as a companion, that he indulged himself in a hearty glass, and in less than two hours they had finished a bottle of sherry and three of port. In this trim he entered his chaise, and, the wine operating on the passions before kindled, he resolved to fetch the laird away by force that very night, if any obstruction should be made.