and Mr. Garden expressed a hope that we might meet in Edinburgh, where he resides, and where we purpose, God willing, to spend this coming winter. My brother gave them a convoy, he was mounted on his favourite black horse, Soldan; and, in my eyes, there is none that can compare with him. When they had left us I went about my household duties. Marjorie told me that Crummie was now herself again. I reproved her anent the matter of Old Peg, and I myself do blame the gipsies; but she maintained she had tied a bit of rowan tree to her tail, and had put a silver sixpence (she got from my brother to buy a fairing) into her drinking trough. I marvel if that could have done good.

I then read the space of half an hour, and was doing so when Alice Lambskin came to me to consult me on the making of my rose-coloured taffetas. My brother returned in the midst thereof, and having good knowledge of what is suitable, and having moreover much observation in these matters, he advised that I should not have a sacque made of it, but instead a fardingale, or a hoop. I like not the notion of a hoop, so am determined to have a fardingale, and my kind brother has himself written to Mrs. Ellis, the first mantuamaker in Edinburgh, to send me a capuchin, and the newest modes in muffs and aprons. In truth, I am not worthy of such a brother, yet I love him tenderly.

He said he was going a shooting, and proposed that I should accompany him as far as the Spring-wellmuir. I hastened to get my hat and muff, and accom

panied him. On the way he informed me that after the 17th, he purposed visiting his dear friend and comrade, Murray of Kilmaine.

Murray is one whom you will much esteem, Martha," said he; "for he is as fond of the White Rose as you are:" and then he said he sometimes regretted that in the '45, instead of wielding his sword for his lawful king, he had shed his blood in the service of the elector at Fontenoy. I assured him that that matter had been well redd up to the prince by our grandmother; and that he, in his own courtly manner, had assured her, that he knew that no Baliol or Bethune would have drawn his sword against his lawful king, or left it sheathed when his country required it. He seemed pleased to hear this.

On my return, assisted by Alice, and May Hetley, I preserved some pints of plums-and made some candied Angelica, which Alice assures me is a fine thing for keeping off witches and infection.

When my brother returned, he brought with him some fine black cocks, and muir game, which I saw put carefully into the larder, and then, wearied with my long walk, I retired before nine.

SEPTEMBER 4.—I rose early in order to see that everything might be well in call on the return of my dear grandmother, but the Knowe is at such a distance from this, that I expect her not till afternoon.

I found all going well in the dairy, and remarked to Marjorie that Mr. Garden (but I mentioned no name to her, merely said a gentleman) had told me that but

termilk was one of the finest things for fattening pigs, and that she might take a young porker and try. It can do no harm.

I could not settle to my spinning, but broke my thread so often in rising hastily to look for the coach, that I put aside my wheel, and tried to read, but came no better speed. I went to look for my brother, but found he had gone out with two gaze-hounds which my uncle had brought him. I then went to see how Alice progressed with my fardingale, but just as she proceeded to let me see it, I heard the sound of wheels, and ran hastily to welcome my dear grandmother. She had alighted ere I reached the door, and running towards her I flung my arms round her, and she embraced me tenderly. I then perceived that she was not alone, but was accompanied by a gentleman. I felt ashamed that he should have seen me running, but he appeared to be assisting my grandmother's woman Elspet to keep Speed quiet, and saw not my confusion. "Come hither, Master Edwardes," said my grandmother, "this is a young maiden I hope to see you well acquainted with this is my granddaughter, Martha Baliol." Mr. Edwardes bowed low, and expressed himself to the effect that he should be well pleased if I would rank him amongst my acquaintance. He then, my brother being absent, offered his arm to my grandmother to assist her up-stairs, whilst Elspet and I followed.

On our way to the oak chamber, where my grandmother always sits, Elspet told me that she was both✦ tired and hungry, Speed having eat all the luncheon that the lady of the Knowe had put into a basket for

her. I ordered her, therefore, to hasten to the cook and get her dinner, whilst I went to attend my grandmother.

On entering the oak chamber, Mr. Edwardes handed me a chair, but he remained standing till both my grandmother and myself entreated that he would be seated.

At her request I then informed her what had occurred during her absence, and mentioned the visit of my uncle and Mr. Garden.

"What Garden is he?" she inquired.

"He is from the North, I believe," I replied, "but resides in Edinburgh."

"Nay, then," quoth she, "it is just Francie Garden: but how comes Bernard to know him, still less to fancy that the sight of him would be a pleasure, the naming of him an honour to me?"

When my brother entered, my granddame led him aside, and conversed earnestly with him; whilst Master Edwardes narrated to me the manner in which they passed the time at the Knowe, and told me that my cousin, Lucy Græme, is of rare and exceeding beauty, and to his mind prettier than either of her sisters. My brother then advanced, and taking Mr. Edwardes by the hand, he greeted him kindly, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to see him (Mr. E.) at Mount Baliol, and hoped he would make it his home as long as it was convenient for him to do so, and more to the same effect; to all of which Mr. Edwardes replied in a suitable manner. My granddame told us then of our cousins, and that she had invited them all to the ball which my

kind brother gives me on the 17th, and also several of their neighbours; and had promised hunting to the young men, and a merry dance to the young maidens. She then retired to her own chamber, and I accompanied her. I brought her my diary, wherewith she was much amused, and advises me to continue it. She says that she will not ask to see it, unless it be my wish.

At dinner we were, as Master Edwardes termed us, une partie quarrée, to his thinking the pleasantest of all. He has been so much abroad, that he says he is a stranger to the ways and manners of this country, and has prayed me to instruct him in our customs; and in return, he promises to instruct me in the habits and head-dresses most in vogue, and to describe minutely the number of diamonds in the stomacher of the Pompadour worn at a ball at Versailles, which he was at very lately, and where he had the honour of walking a minuet with the lovely Madame de Choiseul, a countrywoman of his own.

As Master Edwardes practises the foreign fashion of accompanying the ladies to the withdrawing-room, we had time for a walk, and he and my brother pressed me much to accompany them. Getting my muff and capuchin I did so, and we walked to the Deep-denchase, where we found the gipsies encamped. My brother went to speak to Ringwood about this matter; and an old gipsy no sooner saw him leave us than she came up, and said she would spae our fortunes. I was afraid, and drew back; but Master Edwardes encouraged me, and said, the future could have no terrors

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