the name by which my deceased friend always called that very respectable man Mr Sampson-he and I witnessed the deed. And she had full power at that time to make such a settlement, for she was in fee of the estate of Singleside even then, although it was life-rented by an elder sister. It was a whimsical settlement of old Singleside's, sir; he pitted the two cats his daughters against each other, ha, ha!"

"Well, sir,-but to the purpose. You say that this lady had power to settle her estate on Miss Bertram, and that she did so ?"

"Even so, Colonel.-I think I should understand the law-I have followed it for many years, and though I have given it up to retire upon a handsome competence, I did not throw away that knowledge which is better than house and land, and which I take to be the knowledge of the law, since, as our common rhyme has it,

'Tis most excellent

To win the land that's gone and spent.

No, no, I love the smack of the whip-I have a little, a very little law yet, at the service of my friends."

Glossin ran on in this manner, thinking he had made a favourable impression on Mannering. The Colonel indeed reflected that this might be a most important crisis for Miss Bertram's interest, and resolved that his strong inclination to throw Glossin out at window, or at door, should not interfere with it. He put a strong curb on his temper, and resolved to listen with patience at least, if without complacence. He therefore let Mr Glossin get to the end of his self-congratulations, and then asked him if he knew where the deed was?

"I know that is, I think-I believe I can recover it. In such cases custodiers have sometimes made a charge."

"We won't differ as to that, sir," said the Colonel, taking out his pocket-book.

"But, my dear sir, you take me so very short-1 said some persons might make such a claim-I mean for payment of the expences of the deed, trouble in the affair, &c. But I, for my own part, only wish Miss Bertram and her friends to be satisfied that I am acting towards her with honour. There's the paper, sir! It would have been a satisfaction to me to have delivered it into Miss Bertram's own hands, and to have wished her joy of the prospects which it opens. But since her prejudices on the subject are invincible, it only remains for me to transmit her my best wishes through you, Colonel Mannering, and to express that I shall wil lingly give my testimony in support of that deed when I shall be called upon. I have the honour to wish you a good morn ing, sir."

This parting speech was so well got up, and had so much the tone of conscious in

tegrity unjustly suspected, that even Colonel Mannering was staggered in his bad opinion. He followed him two or three steps, and took leave of him with more politeness (though still cold and formal) than he had paid during his visit. Glossin left the house, half pleased with the impression he had made, half mortified by the stern caution and proud reluctance with which he had been received. "Colonel Mannering might have had more politeness," he said to himself" it is not every man that can bring a good chance of 400%. a-year to a pennyless girl. Singleside must be up to 400%. a-year now-there's Reilageganbeg, Gillifidget, Loverless, Liealone, and the Spinster's Knowe-good 4007. a-year. Some people might have made their own of it in my place-and yet, to own the truth, after much consideration, I don't see how that is possible."

Glossin was no sooner mounted and gone, than the Colonel dispatched a groom

for Mr Mac-Morlan, and, putting the deed into his hand, requested to know if it was likely to be available to his friend Lucy Bertram. Mac-Morlan perused it with eyes that sparkled with delight, snapped his fingers repeatedly, and at length exclaimed, "Available!-it's as tight as a glovenaebody could make better wark than Glossin, when he did na let down a steek on purpose-but (his countenance falling) the auld b, that I should say so, might alter at pleasure."

"How shall we know that ?"

"Somebody must attend on Miss Bertram's part, when the repositories of the deceased are opened."

"Can you go?"

"I fear not-I must attend a jury trial before our court."

"Then I will go myself-I'll set out tomorrow. Sampson shall go with me-he is witness to this settlement.

want a legal adviser ?"

L 2

But I shall