Marriage

ure

her prime, an

rgin f

LT

satin négligée, and petticoat trimmed with Brussels lace. A high starched handkerchief formed a complete breast work, on which, amid a large bouquet of truly artificial roses, reposed a miniature of Sir Sampson, à la militaire. A small fly cap of antique lace was scarcely perceptibl

ed formal bow with which he saluted her on her entrance. "Why, it's so

n of the woods. I suppose you'd like that; it would save you the trouble of combing your hair, and tying your shoes, for then you could go without clothes altog

hat, for once, she had some grounds for animadversio

pleasure should they be too late, they had, with the utmost haste, exchanged their thick morning dresses for thin mus

ull measure of their new dark stays, there existed a visible breach between the waists of their gowns and the bands of their petticoats, which the

u think yourself vastly smart and well dressed. Yes, you are very neat, very neat indeed; one would suppose

look, giv

simplicit

y flowing, h

neglect mor

ghlan, or rather of not immediately agreeing with her; she therefore steered, as usual, the middle course, and kept saying, "Well, children, really what Lady Mac

wi' them; they're no dresse like auld queens or stage-actresses;" and he glance his eye from Lady Maclaughlan to his

he sound of the dinner bell

e Laird, as he seized Lady Maclaughlan by the tip of the finge

ards her, and attempting to take her hand. "Come, Harry, love; here, Cupid," cried she; and with

net; "how a young woman of Lady Juliana's rank and fashi

allowances for her; but, indeed, I think her beauty must ever be a sufficient excuse for any li

o Lady Juliana with some complacency. As she insisted on having her husband on the other side of her, Mr. Douglas was co

, she saluted her in the usual style. "There," at length releasing Mrs Douglas from her gripe-"there'

led out a pin-cushion, and calling Miss Bella, desired her to pin her napk

f whipt cream, unfortunately overturned one upon Lady Maclaughlan's pom

t by the sleeve; "why, you've got St. Vitus's dance. A fit hand to carry whipt crea

could you be so sensel

thought you had more sen

Miss Grizzy, as the friends all flocked around t

ger tablecloth upon your table! And that old man has the palsy. Why don'

certainly does shake, that cannot be denied;" but, lowering her voice, "he is so obstinate, we re

morning and night. If it was not for that and his cough, nobody would know

aring to contradict the facts, he prudently turned a deaf ear to them, and attempted to carryo

of the ladies having given her favourite laird, the signa

herself upon a sofa wit

it down here and talk

d-humour, fetched her work, and s

are making?" asked she, as Mrs.

tocking," replied

, by-the-bye, have you

ed Mrs. Douglas, with

iana, with surprise "then, why d

whose parents cannot af

Lady Juliana, with a yawn. "It's monstrous good of you to make them, to be sure; b

urned Mrs. Douglas, with a smile, "nor near so m

to be, sound a sleep, from which she was only roused by the entrance of the gentleme

and, "my father asks you if

said she, casting a languid glan

, surely!"

Oh, heav

me; come, my Leddy Maclaughlan, Grizzy, Mrs. D

sked Miss Jacky, advancing with a pack of cards

very well, or quadrille, o

ng gaping in joyful expectation of Pope Joan, or a

people don't play the

ers enough," shaking he

we all k

eard of such a game,"

who having spread the green cloth on the tea

iana, with a yawn; "besides, I am su

merce," whispered Mis

r disappointment, which their brother observing, he good-naturedly declared his perfect knowledg

o be?" asked one o

w," said the aunts, l

e," said Miss Jacky, after a whisp

fford nothing to the b

ck

ive lives and grace," a

Lady Juliana was carefully instructed in the rules of the game, and strongly recommended always to try for a sequence, or pairs,

e trouble to attend to any instructions; she therefore quickly retired in disgust, leaving the aunts and nieces to struggle for the glorious prize. "My

say I did," replied her fr

ary's lead in the face of his king. I've been telling you these twenty years not to return your adversary's lead; nothing can be more despicable; nothing can be a greater proof of imbecility of mind-humph!" Then, seating herself, she began to exercise her

Miss Grizzy in a rueful accent; "there r

sh you would give ever

u mean by

eally don't know," stammer

he custard was the work of an angel

ertain

tinued she, as her deep-toned voice resounded through the passage that conducted to the dining-room; "and I suppose it will be called

ning passed off in as much harmony as could be expected from

e exception of Lady Juliana, who chose to take that meal in bed; but, con

r," said Miss Grizzy, as she wr

alls," cried Miss Jacky, pop

Miss Nicky, as she poured more water t

Laird, as he finished the newspapers, an

ed in her travelling dress, followed by Sir Sampson, Philistine

hope Sir Sampson's quite well!" immediately burst as if from a thousa

very uncomfortable; and Sir Sam

te "Bless me's!"

d was too hard?"

?" suggested

t?" added

ot, nor too cold," thundered the Lady, as she sea

Grizzy, in a tone of sorrowful amazement. "Was

s too high," s

isagreeable than a hig

ck

fool's h

l ears on full stretch, and present

ee ladies at once. "Surely, Lady Maclaughlan, you

eir friend, with her accustomed sang froid. "I'm goin

ly murmured the dis

nother petticoat spoiled; or lose another half-crown at ca

was three times uttere

girls; you've all turned topsy-turvy. I've visited here these twe

ss Grizzy; "we certainly are a little

ou deny that my pocket was picked of half-a-crown for nothing

ed to the window. Philistine here entered to inform his mistress that "awthing was ready." "Steady, boys, steady! I always am ready," responded the Lady in a tone adapted to the song. "Now I am re

e signs of her distress, bawled out from the carriage, as the door was shut, "Well, God bless you, girls,

late sisters returned to the parlour to hold a cabi