the window, and showed herself to the astonished Curtsey to them," said Miss Drag

crowd. 66

well, holding her handkerchief before her mouth. Mrs. Forster curtsied.

"Smile upon them," continued the malicious young lady.

Mrs. Forster grinned horribly.

Mrs. Forster obeyed the injunction.

"Now give a loud shriek, and toss the cat out of window."

Mrs. Forster uttered a hideous yell, and threw the animal at the heads of the spectators, who retreated with alarm in every direction..

"Now burst into a fit of laughter, curtsey to them, and wave your hand, and that will be sufficient."

Mrs. Forster obeyed the last order, and Miss Dragwell shut the window. In a few minutes the report spread that Mrs. Forster had gone out of her senses; and the murder of Mr. Spinney, a topic which was nearly exhausted, was dismissed for the time to dwell and comment upon the second catastrophe.

CHAPTER VIII.

Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend which is the mightier. SHAKSPEARE.

"So far we have succeeded, my dear Mrs. Forster," said Miss Dragwell; " I will now return home, and come back as soon as I can with the post-chaise. Mr. Ramsden's servant shall come with me to conduct you to the asylum, and I trust in a quarter of an hour to see you clear of these foolish people of Overton, who think that you are the party in fault: you had better remain in your room, and not appear again at the window; the crowd will disperse when they are tired of watching: good-bye, my dear Mrs. Forster, good-bye."

Mrs. Forster was in too sulky a humour to vouchsafe an answer, and Miss Dragwell quitted the house. Betsy had taken advantage of the

turmoil and the supposed lunacy of her mistress, to gossip in the neighbourhood. Nicholas Forster was in the shop, but took no notice of Miss Dragwell as she passed through. He appeared to have forgotten all that had occurred, and was very busy filing at his bench. There we must leave him, and follow the motions of the mischiefloving Miss Dragwell.

Upon her return, the party collected at the parsonage considered that they had proceeded far enough; but Miss Dragwell thought otherwise; she had made up her mind that Mrs. Forster should pass a day or two in the Lunatic Asylum, and she felt assured that Mr. Ramsden, through whose assistance her intention must be accomplished, would not venture to dispute her wishes.

Her father, with a loud ha, ha, ha! proposed that Mr. Spinney should appear as a ghost by the bed-side of Mrs. Forster, wrapped up in a sheet, with a he, he, he! and that thus the diversion should end; but this project was overruled by Mr. Spinney, who protested that nothing should induce him again to trust himself, with a he, he, he! in the presence of Mrs. Forster.

Ramsden, although well acquainted with Doctor Beddington, who had charge of the asylum, was not sure that he would be pleased with their freak, and earnestly dissuaded his intended from proceeding any farther.

"It is useless to argue, my dear George, I am Quixote enough to revenge the injuries of those who have been forced to submit to her temper; and moreover, I hope to effect a cure. Desperate diseases, you must be aware as a medical man, require desperate remedies. I consider that a termagant and a lunatic are during their paroxysms on a par, as rational behaviour in either party may be considered as a lucid interval. Let her, if it be only for one hour, witness herself reflected in the various distorted mirrors of perverted mind, and if she has any conscience whatever, good will spring from evil. I joined this plot from a love of mischief; but I carry it on from a feeling that favourable results will be produced."

"But, my dear Fanny-'

"I will have it so, Ramsden, so don't attempt to dissuade me; we are not married yet, and I. must not be thwarted in my short supremacy.

Surely you ought not to be displeased at my desire to 'tame a shrew.' I give a fair promise not to fall into an error which I so ardently detest : now, send for the chaise, write a letter to Doctor Beddington, and leave me to arrange with Mrs. Forster."

Ramsden, like many others when teased by pretty woman, consented against his will; he wrote a letter to Doctor Beddington, explaining circumstances, and requesting his pardon for the liberty which he had been persuaded to take.

Miss Dragwell, as soon as the letter was sealed, put on her bonnet, and taking Mr. Ramsden's servant with her, stepped into the chaise, and drove to the house of Mr. Nicholas Forster. She found Mrs. Forster squatted on the bed in her ludicrous attire, awaiting her return with impatience.

"Oh! Mrs. Forster, I have had such trouble, such difficulty; but Mr. Ramsden has been persuaded at last. There is the letter to Doctor Beddington, and Mr. Ramsden's servant is in the chaise at the door; the sooner you are off the better; the people are so outrageous, and call you such shocking names."