"I have been showing Ellen the cave and waterfall in Butterfly Dell; the cool cavern was so pleasant, we should have stayed still longer had we not been interrupted; I was telling her all the legends in our family." "And nothing else?" said Lady Florence, laughing; "are you sure that was all? and who interrupted your pleasant converse?" "See him--there he is," said the Earl, pointing to the Italian, who then emerged from the woods; "he is a minstrel, Floss, and will play dance music for you, and sing; is he not handsome?" "Oh! yes; quite a young Tasso; does he know English?" "Not a word." "Oh! I wish I knew Italian like you, Wentworth: a minstrel! how charming--you must be my interpreter. Come, Ellen, tell me all Wentworth said," continued the fair girl, laughing. "Keep no secrets," and, taking Ellen's hand, the two walked on a few paces in front, leaving the Earl and his sister together. "It is all settled," said the former. "Ellen will be future mistress of Dun Eden Towers; do you not think I have made a good choice?" "Oh! I am so delighted you have at last made her happy, and I am sure she will make you so. I am so glad. Ellen, darling," said the lady, hastening forward. "Ellen, I congratulate you--let me be the first to do so dearest," and, so saying, she kissed her fondly. "On what do you congratulate her?" said Lady Florence; "you do not mean--?" "I do," said her sister; "and are you not glad Ellen will be our own sister, Florence? I am as happy--" "And I too," said Lady Florence; "let me wish you every joy, Ellen." "You are an excellent keeper of secrets," said the Earl, coming up; "that is the way you keep your promises of silence, Edith." "I confess my fault; it was done in the fulness of my joy," said the Marchioness; "however, there is no harm done; Florence will keep it quiet, will you not dear?" "I would not trust Florence's tongue a moment," said her brother. "I am sure I shall not come to you for a character," retorted the beauty, pouting her pretty lips; "but to show you I can keep a secret, I will not tell anyone, though you deserve nothing less than that I should publish it at the market cross." By this time the party had once more emerged from the woods, and again saw the green meadow and the old Peel. The sun was nearing its western bourne, and a pleasant breeze had sprung up and cooled the air; the park, as every enclosure is called in Scotland, presented a gay appearance from the light dresses of the ladies. Nearly the whole party were gathered round the great mossy stone, evidently only waiting for the Earl to open the dance on the green. Various opinions were hazarded, and numerous queries put as to what delayed his coming. "After all," said young Scroop, "he is not the only defaulter, neither of his sisters are here, nor is the Captain, nor is Captain L'Estrange, or Miss Ravensworth; no doubt they have taken a longer ramble than they intended."