was brought home that night, shot through the heart. But don't tell me Robert did it!" she cried, interrupting herself, and starting up with a vehemence that terrified Miss Armadale. "I haven't said so, and I never thought so:-my boy is gone, and that man is dead, but who shall say where the guilt lies, and what that innocent lad may have endured, while his name has been branded with infamy? I only know he is lost -I only feel he is dead-and if, oh! if Willie should return from that foreign land of punishment to lead a new life, and claims his son at my hands, how shall I be able to answer him!"

She hid her face with a convulsive shudder: then looking at Margaret with a melancholy smile: "I told you, Miss, you wouldn't be able to help me, and I'm sure I oughtn't to have troubled you with such a gloomy story; but now you'll not wonder that Christmas is a heavy day for me."

"No, indeed, poor Wilton," said Miss Armadale, taking her hand, "but did you never hear

gence of Robert ?"

any intelli

“Only a rumour that he had been seen with a man of the name of Arnold, whom I had often wished him not to associate with: he had known his father and MacMurdoch in old times, and never bore a good character, and with them was a recruiting sergeant, which made me think he might have listed, and all that I or my friends could do in way of enquiring, we did, but you know that was but little, and we never

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learned anything more. I left my place, I couldn't stay in my own village alone, and I came here, and have been here ever since. The Lord is good, and He has been my consolation."

"One word more," said Miss Armadale, kindly, "tell me what your Robert was like when he left you?" "I'll show you, Miss Esther," said Wilton, taking a case out of her pocket, "this has been my companion ever since he had it taken, poor fellow, only a few months before."

Miss Armadale looked at it intently-returned it in silence took her humble friend by both hands,

CHAPTER VII.

The solemn fop, significant and budge;
A fool with judges-among fools a judge:
He says but little, and that little said,
Owes all its weight, like loaded dice, to lead.

M

ready."

CowPER.

ISS ARMADALE had hardly reached her own apartment, when Nisbett hurried in. "Dear me, ma'am, how late you are -there's dinner going in, and you not

"I can't help it," said Margaret, sitting down, "I am very tired, Nisbett."

"Yes, ma'am, but tired or not tired, you must be dressed, you know. Now do let me unfasten your gown, and do your hair."

"My head aches," said Miss Armadale, "if I was at home, Nisbett, I should go to bed."

"And I wish we were at home, ma'am, and you in your proper character: that's all I can say, for you've got enemies here. I beg your pardon, Miss Armadale, but just let me arrange those folds-indeed you'll be late."

But Miss Armadale had fallen into one of her

fits of inertion, and would not be roused: and poor Nisbett had an arduous task in getting her dressed at all. Her head was full of nurse Wilton's story, and the probabilities of recovering Robert Grey; mixed up with thoughts of Alfred, and a hundred other things foreign to the purpose; and she for the time forgot she was not the heiress for whom every one would be proud to wait, but the poor dependent, who would be scolded without scruple: nor did this strike her, till she went down stairs, and found all gone to dinner. Then indeed, a nervous dread of Mrs. Crawford crept over her, and when she opened the door of the well-filled dining-room, the blood rushed up to the top of her forehead, and every thing appeared in a mist.

"The late Miss Esther," observed her hostess, with impressive emphasis on that very original remark, we began to think you were gone to bed." Miss Armadale faltered an apology; but her self-possession failed her entirely; and thankfully did she shrink to the obscurity of the side table, and the protection of Alfred, from the reproving glances of that awful family party. For all those worthy members were decidedly of opinion that her conduct in being late was unpardonable, and they did not scruple to say as much by their looks; and if the generous English beef had been "the black dinoure" of Earl Douglas himself, it could not have worn a more forbidding aspect. Miss Martin saw all this, and was

half vexed and half amused; but she had little time herself for observation, as every one was eager to talk to her, and one gentleman, who had been abroad, would talk about Florence-and one lady about Rockstone-and another about the late Mr. Armadale: and Ferdinand was sitting by with his piquant anecdotes and tender whispers; and in short, everybody, with the exception of the rich Aunt Strapper, vied in making themselves agreeable.

Aunt Strapper, meanwhile, who saw a rival usurping her throne, was, to speak familiarly, in a glorious ill-humour; and vented it on Rory, who had been seated next her, with strict orders to be good and obedient: all which he fully intended to be, as it was Christmas day, but finding himself snapped at for everything he did, he laid down his knife and fork with a deep sigh. "Oh dear! I wish I was sitting next to Esther, that I do—she is never half so cross as you are!"

"Then pray go to her," said Mrs. Strapper, angrily, "I shall be delighted to get rid of you. Here Thomas! take Master Roderick's chair and plate to the side-table!" an order that was immediately obeyed. "Come along, Rory," whispered Miss Armadale, who was gaining courage with her dinner, we are both in a scrape, so we must comfort each other." Το say the truth, the select party at the side table did not seem in need of much comfort: the two merry schoolgirls, who had been consigned to the care of their

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