I should mention perhaps, that Elsie's great nephew Alick Grahame who had attended his lady on her late visit to Highbeck was greatly smitten with our little Mary Lee, and some love passages had been between them. Elsie had at first been rather scandalized at her nephew for falling in love with a town-bred English girl, but Mary's pretty neat ways and kind attentions to herself had won her over, and she was well-pleased with the affair. So were we, for Alick was a fine young fellow, a favorite with his mistress and likely to do well in the world. In due time came an avant-courier with news that my lady was on her way from Newcastle and might be expected by supper time. Every thing was now in a bustle to receive her, Mrs. Wilson was here, there, and every where, overseeing, scolding and arranging. Amabel and I were in our room, when she put her head in at the door without the ceremony of knocking and said in a sufficiently pert tone— "Mrs. Leighton, I think on such a day as this, you might spare your woman to help me a little instead of keeping her here busy with that nonsensical embroidery!" Amabel turned full upon her, her gray eyes lighting up— "Did you knock, Wilson?" she asked carelessly. "I did not hear you!" "I beg pardon!" said Wilson in a tone which sounded as if the words were dragged out of her— "Very well!" said Amabel. "That will do. Be so good as to shut the door." Wilson was absolutely cowed and went away without another word. I ventured to hint to Amabel that she had probably made an enemy of this woman. "I do not think so!" was Amabel's reply. "If I read her aright, she is one of those natures who take all kindness for timidity and behave themselves accordingly. At all events, it will be time to give way when I am obliged to." Lady Leighton arrived in good season with a train of servants and attendants of all sorts, and was received with a great deal of form. I did not see the meeting, but Amabel told me afterward that Lady Leighton had been very affectionate to her, saying that she had no doubt Amabel would show herself a dutiful and obedient child to the mother Sir Julius had given her. "Mother indeed!" said I. "It is a profanation to apply the word to her.” "Hush dear!" returned Amabel. "Remember she is my father's wife and we must treat her with the respect due to her position." "And you, Amabel!" "I curtsied and said I hoped I should always remember my duty. I could not say more." "What did your father say?" "Sir Julius has not come!" was the reply. "It seems business has detained him in London for the present. Lady Leighton tells me that she is expecting a house full of company next week." There is a certain class of beings who are said to appear when spoken of. I would not say that Lady Leighton belonged to this class, however well qualified she might be to adorn it, but it is certain that she came in at the moment we were speaking of her. "What is that about Lady Leighton!" said she.