clerk to lock the gates, and himself pompously bestowed the key in his pocket, and the three were proceeding homewards, when they heard the roll of wheels, and looking round, saw a dashing-looking young man, of about four-and-twenty, drive up to the church in a drag drawn by a pair of fiery bays. As he drew up the impetuous horses, the groom behind leaped down and attempted to open the gates, which were, however, as our readers know, locked. Mr. Lennox, seeing the young man's dilemma, hastened back, followed by Mr. Ravensworth and Johnny. "Could you oblige me," said the stranger, "by telling me where the churchwarden lives?" "You could not have applied to a better person than to me, as I myself happen to be that officer," replied Mr. Lennox, drawing himself up to his full height, and laying peculiar stress on the word "officer." "I have the keys," he continued, "and can at once accommodate you with seats, if that was your object." "I merely wished your name and address, sir," replied the young man; "I am hurried now, and have no time to waste, but if you could let me know where to find you to-morrow, and would wait for me between twelve and one o'clock, I would then look over the seats." "I am sorry that official duties will prevent me from having that pleasure, but my friend and copartner in office here, Mr. Ravensworth, will I am sure. You do not go to town on Monday I think, Ravensworth?" "I do not,--and I shall have much pleasure in waiting for you," said Mr. Ravensworth, at the same time handing his card. "Ha! thanks; I shall be punctual,--remember, between twelve and one. Good day, gentlemen." Taking off his hat, and gathering the reins together, he whipped up his impatient horses, and was gone,--the groom swinging himself up, as the drag sprang away, with great nimbleness, much to Johnny's admiration, leaving them all in wonder as to who he could be. "Mark my words, sir," said Mr. Lennox, "that young man is no common person." "Indeed! do you think so? Well, I fancy he is merely some young man of fortune, who can drive a dashing trap,--probably one of the 7th, now at Jock's Lodge; I hear they are a very crack regiment." "Think so? I am sure of it; his appearance, his equipage, his commanding way of speaking,--all argued birth; he is not unlike my cousin, Lord George Lennox." "Every good-looking man is like that cousin of yours," said Mr. Ravensworth, laughing; "but here we are at my house; I will let you know to-morrow who he is,--your swans generally turn out geese." "Let him laugh that wins," said Mr. Lennox, as he walked on. "I would stake ten to one he is none of your parvenus."