that she would send some little thing or other by the way of a keepsake to the people at home.

They won't bleeve me," he said "that you have any friendship for them at all, if I haven't something to shew from your hand."

As he expected, she received this as a compliment to herself, and consider ed, for a few minutes, what article of her property would be most acceptable to his wife. She balanced for some time between her crooked comb, which cost eighteen pence, and a shawl, almost as good as new, for which she had paid two shillings. The latter was at length offered as the most useful, and was very graciously accepted.

"This is the very thing for my ouldest daughter, Katty," he said. But what'll I do with herself? She laid it on me to bring her a handsome coat-the very pattern of the one you wore Sunday last. Now, every penny of my little money is spent; and I wont know how to face her without one of the kind to stop her wicked tongue. She is a friendly woman, you know, and would think more of it coming from you nor if it walked stroight out of the shop to her."

The gown quickly followed the shawl; and if he had asked them, every spare article of her dress would soon have been packed up in his bundle; but he had a higher object in view than mere wearing apparel, however useful; and, as she was in so generous a humour, he lost no time to bring it forward.

How I contrived to leave myself so bare," he began, "is what troubles me most. If a halfpenny would buy an estate, I haven't one in my possession, with a long journey afore me. A man like me dont like to be under a compliment to a stranger; and that was what made me refuse the loan of forty or fifty shillings that Bryan Garaway wanted, all out of his own head, to force on me not an hour back."

The Garra Caille was dull and easily duped by the appearance of kindness; but she was not so devoid of understanding, or so blinded by partiality, as to swallow every absurdity. She remembered at how little cost she travelled the same road; and reminded him that five shillings would bear his charges handsomely, and leave something in his pocket at the end of his

ourney.

Durkindy never contradicted her or his aunt, or attempted to disprove their

arguments. He kept to his point steadily whatever it was, and generally succeeded in silencing, if he could not convince them.

"It struck me," he continued, "that you would accommodate me with the loan of a couple of pounds, or maybe three, for a week or so. I would do the same any day by you; for one's own flesh and blood is another thing entirely from strangers. Besides, I wouldn't like to have it to tell how a sister of my own, that is likely to be the head of the family, would let me travel the road like a spalpeen, or be under a compliment for that penny to one that might think little of making a blowing-horn of it round the world."

He touched a string in unison with all Ansty's feelings, good or bad. She was, by nature, generous; she was, also, affectionate, when there was a reasonable hope that her affection would be returned; and she was as vain as the crow, who, to oblige the fox with a song, lost her dinner and got laughed at into the bargain. Her sisterly affection, which had been awakened before, spoke strongly on the side of the loan; and truth compels us to tell that vanity was fast supplying arguments of equal strength, while she hesitated what to answer. Her brother followed up the advantage which he perceived he had gained by another attack directed skilfully against her weak point.

Bryan Garaway acted the part of a friendly man by me. I can say no other of him if he was my worst enemy. But I wasn't thankful to him for one word he said; and that was, that you would let myself and all belonging to me carry a bag before you would put your hand in your pocket, though it was breaking down with the woight of gold."

"I'll make a liar of him this very minute," said the Girra Caille, rising in haste. Stay where you are till I come back; and you will show him more money nor all his twelvepenny nails would hammer for him in a quarter."

Her check-book was in the keeping of her mistress, who, much to her surprise refused to give it to her when she understood the manner in which the money was to be disposed of till she spoke with her aunt, who was immediately summoned to the consultation. Mrs. Smith had never interfered in her concerns before; and had very unwillingly admitted the visits of Peggy M'Clusker when she came now

and then to consult her on her niece's affairs; Ansty was, therefore, a little proud of the sensation which she and her money dealings caused. She promised to be said and led by the advice of her friends, particularly when she was reminded by her mistress that she could not have her money without giving a fortnight's previous notice at the bank.

Peggy was outrageous when she heard of the Girra Caille's folly. She recapitulated to Mrs. Smith the manifold injuries which she had suffered from the same man-his utter neglect of her till she had become independent -his friendship with the only person in Dunasker who had ever said an uncivil word to her; and then drew a lively picture of the pretty figure she would cut in the eyes of the world by being made the cat's-paw of a polliss'd slootherer.

"He is nothing else," she continued with increasing vehemence; and I'm far out if he isn't worse nor that. He made a fine story of his distress to blind her eyes when there is no distress about him. There is more money in his pocket nor what he ever come by honestly. He has, to my certain knowledge, what would drive him home in a po'-shay if he had a fancy for it; and buy a full shoot of satins for his Munster wife into the bargain, if she wanted to turn mad woman before the country."

Ansty was soon persuaded to keep her money. Mrs. Smith also required a promise that she should not borrow it on the strength of her deposit in the bank, which was well known by every body in the village.

"And blessings on you, ma'am," said the aunt, "lay your commands on her this minute to keep her little duds to

herself. I wouldn't sleep asy in my bed for a month to come if that fellow was to carry off a stitch belonging to her, after the poor, bare way that he let her leave his own house."

At the risque, however, of Mrs. M'Clusker's rest being broken, Ansty persisted in her determination to give the gown and shawl. She said that she promised it with her own free will

nobody putting her up to it; and that to give a thing and take a thing was, she always heard, unlucky for man or beast. Mrs. Smith made no objection to this: she rather encouraged her conscientious scruples; and Peggy finding that all her rhetoric went for nothing, at last permitted herself to be convinced that what was right, was right.

"To be sure," she said, at the end of the debate, "it is very proper to keep one's word if one isn't a fool or hasn't to do with a rogue; or if one oughtn't to do what was wrong, or a redicule entirely. Oh! I'll say no more, Mrs. Smith. Let him take them, since it seems robbery and vagabonishness is to get encouragement in the face of the world. All I say is thismy hearty commendation be upon the pig that will make a riddle of them both the first day they are put out on the hedge to dry."

Durkindy bore his disappointment very philosophically, and bore his aunt's satirical innuendos, or downright plain-speaking, with imperturba. ble resignation. As usual, he spent the evening with his friend Bryan Garaway, who, early next morning, escorted him some miles on the road; and Peggy, while she cordially wished him a good journey, as cordially hoped that she saw the last of him as he turned the corner leading to the high road.

primitive purity, so that it was hopeless to guess at their contents from the few words which could be read in connexion, by pressing the latter between the finger and thumb, so as to admit of a peep into the interior. The most patient investigation could discover nothing satisfactory in the two or three lines to the following effect"clearly convinced me that"-" unpro fitable life without"- determined me to this"-and she was obliged to despatch it in due time without coming

to any conclusion as to what it could mean, or what consequences were likely to ensue. An answer, even more voluminous, for it occupied two sheets besides the cover, was returned in the course of a few days. From this, though subjected to a careful inspection, still less could be learned. Not one word was visible except what could be dimly seen through the cover; but Miss Tammy, rather than confess herself completely foiled, informed her friend, the haberdasher, that she could clearly distinguish lines of figures in the usual style of pounds, shillings, and pence.

Letter followed letter, which were punctually answered some short some long-but all folded with a vulgarly suspicious attention to secrecy, that baffled any efforts to become acquainted with their contents, short of breaking the seal. One piece of information could be collected, that they contained enclosures to a large amount; for two bank post bills, of fifty pounds each, were changed in the course of ten days at the principal shop in the village.

Great expectations were formed by this unusual supply of money, which soon began to be realized. Carpenters and plasterers were engaged to fit up her cottage, (of which she took a lease for her own life,) in the style of those patronized by Colonel Asker. A rustic porch protected the hall door from the blast which it had borne uncomplaining since the day it first turned upon its hinges. A flower garden, enclosed by handsome iron rails, fronted the windows towards the street -the kitchen was whitewashed the parlour and bed-room papered and painted; and the foundation of some out-offices laid, whether for a stable or coach house, or for what other purpose was not expressly declared; but it was generally believed that whoever lived to see it would see Mrs. Smith driving in her jaunting car before they died.

The curiosity, which, at first, was confined to persons in Miss Goulding's line or below it, was fast extending to the higher classes. Even Lady Anne Asker was known to enquire with something like a gossiping interest about her. Miss Cartwright contemplated another attempt at forming an acquaintance with her when her improvements were completed; and Captain Somerville was accused of listening for full ten minutes to Miss Tammy Goulding's suspicions and sur

mises, while he was sealing a letter in the post office.

Every day-almost every hourproduced something new and curious respecting her doings; so much so, that the intercourse between Mrs. Kilrummery and Miss Goulding could not be confined to personal communications, although they met two or three evenings in the week to compare notes. One wonder trode so fast upon the heels of another that their maid servants were constantly employed in carrying messages, lest any thing interesting should be lost in the multiplicity of events, all worthy of note, The improvements in and out of the house were, at length, completed; and the village had a short interval of repose, or rather a kind of feverish suspense was induced; for it could not be supposed that such great undertakings would end in nothing. An explosion of some kind or other was expected; and the more so, because the correspondence with Mr. T. Browne was again renewed at so enormous an expense of postage that nothing but a business of life and death could account for it.

Late on a Friday-the busiest day in Dunasker Mrs. Kilrummery received a note from her friend, the post-mistress, who was very quick at her pen, to the following effect :

"Dear Mrs. K.-You must step up this evening; you don't know all that is going on; your own advantage ought to be looked to-I think you will stare,

"Yours in haste, T. G."

The haberdasher hated writing any thing but a bill. She, however, would not be outdone in gentility; and, in the course of three hours, returned, an answer on the back of a printed advertisement.

"Dear Miss G.-I could not stur out this eving if you paid me so tho the say must is for the king you must slip down here I have knews two

"Yours throughly A. KILRUMMERY." The moment after Miss Goulding had despatched her mail-bag and swallowed a cup of tea, without sitting down, she burried off to her friend, who had just closed her shop, and was anxiously expecting her.

"Not a word," said her visitor the moment she entered, till you hear my story. You know nothing that I dont know, but I know something that you don't know; and that you might break your heart before you guessed it."

"You don't mean the new furniture, Miss Goulding ?"

"There it is!" cried Miss Tammy, gaily; no such thing, I assure you; you see I have the whip-hand of you. I don't say that furniture wont be wanting, where, I believe, there is not much to spare. But there is no talk of that yet-what do you think of a wedding first and foremost ?"

"If you are not laughing at me, Miss Goulding, I can only say that the woman is madder than all Bedlam put together; and the man, whoever he is, not a degree more in his senses. Why it was only the day before yesterday that she bought in this very shop the pattern of two black gowns, besides gloves and stockings-aye, and pins, too, all to match-and does that look like a sober wedding ?"

"Was that your news?" asked Miss Goulding, still keeping the whip-hand. "I heard all about that before the ink of her bill was dry. No, no. She has nothing to say to the match no more than yourself: so guess againthough, I am sure, you will never

guess.

"Oh! for goodness sake, Miss Goulding, tell me at once, for you have fairly upset me with curiosity.'

"What do you say, then, to Mary Vaughan going to be married to Toby Wilkinson of Inchboffin ?"

"That's a come-down, indeed!" said Mrs. Kilrummery. Why, ma'am, is he any thing but a middling farmer? And did he ever put his legs under a gentleman's table in his life?"

"I don't know if Robin Plant can be fairly called a gentleman; but he passes for one; and Toby dined there of an odd time. They had him in their eye, I suppose, for their niece; and I wish them joy of their prize, now that they have caught him."

"After all, Miss Goulding, her expectations could not be very grand; and many a genteel poor girl would look upon it as a snug match, when nothing better offered."

"It is the very thing for her," said the post mistress; "putting her conceit out of the question. To be sure, it will be some time before she will reconcile herself to his relations or himself, after the company she was foolish enough to keep. But the girl is wise to snap at any provision; and I would be well pleased at her good luck, out of mere pity for her dependent situation, if I had not family reasons to

make me glad that she is out of my way for ever."

Family reasons! I dont see your drift, Miss Goulding.”

"I never opened my lips about it before; and would not now, to any one but yourself; as whatever might be a disadvantage to one's family, particularly to a rising young man, ought to be kept in the back ground. I confess then, I was a little afraid of her, on account of my nephew, Edwin Goulding, who is taking his degree in College. He admired her greatly; and I, who am so anxious that he should not throw himself away, was always on the fidgets, in his vacation time, for fear he might be whipped up before my eyes. Now, I can enjoy his company without watching him like a cat, since she is provided for."

Mrs. Kilrummery had never seen this interesting collegian; but, from what she heard, for she had other cronies in Dunasker, who were as communicative about their neighbours as Miss Tammy herself, she had a strong suspicion that it would be a difficult matter for the young gentleman to throw himself away, by a matrimonial con

nexion.

Like any body else, there was a possibility that he might make a poor match, or a low match, or a silly match, or, an imprudent match; but the throwing away part of it would, in any case, be on the side of the girl, provided her character was irreproachable. She, however, kept her mind to herself, and merely answered, that young men were not always prudent; and, that it was well for them to have friends to keep them steady.

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"

Toby Wilkinson will be singing, Love was the cause of my folly,' yet,' said the post-mistress; "for, though she was made to work hard in her aunt's family, it was helping to keep up a show; and doing things that never could come in Toby's way. Working lace frills, and making sponge cakes, and tossing up old gowns into new dresses, and clearing jelly, might fit her for an upper servant in a gentleman's family, but is no preparation for managing a small farmer's house."

The haberdasher was too much interested in another subject to spare much attention to Miss Vaughan's concerns just then; knowing, besides, that there would be leisure sufficient to canvass the merits of the case before it had lost any of its freshness; she, therefore, alluded to Mrs. Smith; and Miss Goulding's thoughts immediately

ran in the channel to which she wished to lead them.

"Come now," she said, "let us talk comfortably about her, since we have settled Mary Vaughan. Is it possible, that, at one slap, she laid out with you four pounds seven, on handsome wearables ?"

"No; but seven pounds four, and three halfpence, if you please. There is the tot of her bill, if you would like to run it over."

Miss Goulding was lost in amazement as she read the account, protest ing at every item, that a duchess could not make greater preparations for going into handsome mourning. Mrs. Kilrummery had now the whip-hand, and she resolved to take the lead on new ground.

"I dont set up for more cuteness than my neighbours, Miss Goulding; but it would not surprise me if she was to be at the grand party that the colonel is giving on the island, to all the country next Thursday."

"That cant happen without my knowledge," said Miss Tammy, though Dunasker is turning topsy turvy. She is not invited yet, I can tell you; and, I think she would be a very mean spirited creature, if she was to go on three days' notice, when even the Plants and Williams' were asked last Friday."

"She cant be trusted for one hour, Miss Goulding; or she will baffle us all. We are too simple for her. Now, just to shew you; you think that she is sitting quietly at home, without a cat to keep her company; but, I can tell you-and it was by the greatest good luck that I heard of it in time that, this very present minute she is taking her tea at Parson Ravenscroft's, in her new black silk, made up in a hurry, and the best net cap that I had in that drawer."

Miss Goulding was too much mortified at her own ignorance to express all, or any of her surprise at this piece of news, which was nearly the most interesting that had happened in the neighbourhood for years; and, which, in the due course of events should have reached her before it became public property. She had, before this, felt an incipient pang of jealousy against the encroaching haberdasher, who was not content to play second fiddle to her, but evidenced an inclination to set up as head news-monger of the village. On the present occasion, she felt inclined to restrain her curiosity about Mrs. Smith, of whose manoeuvres, for

four whole days, she had received no certain intelligence, except the arrival of some furniture from Dublin. But, such forbearance would be accompanied with as much pain to herself, as she could possibly inflict upon her friend, and therefore, prudently resolved to get out of her as much as she could, without compromising her dignity too far.

"The plain truth is this," she said; "I have so many things to think of, that whatever I heard of her went in at one ear and out of the other, as fifty other foolish things do. I am beginning to be quite tired of the woman; and I would not wonder if I heard of her giving a tea party, now that she has got decent furniture in her house."

"It was I sent you word of that furniture the first; and I can tell you more, I saw one of the carts unpacked from top to bottom, and got a full view of the cover of the sofa."

"Sofa! Mrs. K. you dont say sofa!"

"Indeed, but I do, Miss G. a positive sofa, and twelve lovely chairs to match, in fawn-coloured moreen, the same as the window curtains; and a clock, in a glass case, to stand on her chimney piece and a three-legged round table for the middle of her room."

Miss Goulding attempted to repress the self-congratulating air, with which this piece of intelligence was conveyed, by coldly remarking,

"As for a pillar and claw table, I would never have thought of mentioning it; for, when I wanted to buy one for ny sitting-room, my nephew, Edwin Goulding, told me they were quite out of fashion."

Dear me, Miss G., what has fashion to say to it? If it was a three-legged stool belonging to Hector of Troy; or even one that went before him, it would be well worth mentioning, once it came into her possession; for, is not she herself a wonder? and is not every thing about her a wonder? Miss G., you gave me a riddle to guess, and, I will propose one to you. How do you suppose she spends her evenings: what do you thing is her amusement ?"

66

Now,

Well, well," said Miss Tammy, somewhat subdued; I did not keep you long in suspense, and I expect the same good turn from you."

Then, ma'am, she is teaching her maid to spell! and what is more, she has been at that work for the last two