which I gave her the money, begging that sufficient might be got for our breakfast on the morrow.

The old woman was so mollified by the prospect of a comfortable cup of tea, that she hastened to put fresh peat on the fire, and spoke to me rather more civilly.

Her husband soon returned, and after enjoying the refreshment, I retired to my bedroom, which, like the one in London, was mounted at the very top of the house, and was miserably and scantily furnished.

However, after three days' tossing on the ocean, I quite enjoyed my rough bed, and soon fell fast asleep.

In the morning the old crone, finding that I did not come down stairs, mounted them in no good humour to call me, as the vehicle which was to convey Mrs. Patterson and myself to Loch Ruff was arrived, together with my fellow passenger.

Taking a hurried breakfast, we got into the shaking market-cart, driven by a dirty lad

without shoes or stockings, and were soon out of Edinburgh, which appeared to me a very dirty, dreary place, after London.

After driving nearly ten miles, we arrived at our journey's end, almost jolted to death, and the reception I met with did not tend to make me forget my fatigue.

CHAPTER V.

the spurns

That patient merit of the unworthy takes.”

SHAKSPEARE.

LOCH RUFF Castle is a low, rambling, irregular building with one solitary tower.

It stands on the very edge of a small, gloomylooking lake, surrounded by high and barren hills.

A court-yard closed in the back of the cast le, but no garden, not even a shrub enlivened the dreary scene.

When we drove into the yard, two or three shoeless lads and lasses came deliberately out of a long, low building, which I afterwards found was the kitchen, and unconnected with the other part of the house.

After many exclamations at the finery of my companion, her fellow-servants told her that

"the leddy" was very angry that we had not arrived before.

No one took the slightest notice of me, and I was left standing by the cart, not knowing where to go to, when Master McJames made his appearance, exclaiming,

"You'll both catch it, I can tell you." Saying which, he pulled me roughly by the arm, desiring me to "come along," and rather thrust than led me into a low, large room, the windows of which looked out upon the lake. There, seated with her children about her, was my lady herself, looking daggers.

"Pray, Miss," she began, "what is the reason you did not leave London as I desired, on the Wednesday after we did? I suppose a pretty bill has been run up by Mrs. Davies for your board and lodging; however, I shall deduct it out of your salary."

"I assure you, madam," I replied, "it was no fault of mine; Mrs. Patterson told me that the vessel would not sail till the following Monday, and I was ready on that day as she desired me.

"Mrs. Davies was so kind as to ask me to be

her guest for the time I remained in her house, therefore I have incurred no expense."

This seemed to soften matters a little, but her ladyship sent for my companion, whom she questioned, as she had done me.

"Oh! my leddy," said Mrs. Patterson, rather pertly, "how could I help the smack not sailing on the Wednesday? I'm sure I did all I could to save expense, and went to my relations in the Strand, because I thought it would be cheaper than boarding with Mrs. Davies."

"Cheaper!" screamed her lady, "cheaper, why your friends never could have had the meanness to be paid for your visit?"

Indeed, my leddy," said the woman, “I did pay them, for I thought you never could expect poor tradesfolks to maintain your servants."

"And how much had they the conscience to charge you?" asked the lady.

"Twelve shillings," replied Mrs. Patterson. "Twelve shillings for six days!" said Lady McJames. "Well, if ever I heard of such an imposition!