"That I won't," said the boy. "I hate and detest him and his wife."

"Then, my darling, go out with Tom," (the footman,) "till I am ready."

The boy vanished, and till two o'clock I laboured on with my disagreeable pupils and their ignorant and dictatorial mother.

At length the hour arrived, as I hoped, for release, but not so. I was ordered to get on my things, dress the young ladies, and accompany them in their walk.

We sallied forth, Lady McJames leading two of the children, I following with two more, who almost lugged my arms off, and Mrs. Patterson, the "Leddy's maid," bringing up the rear with the crying baby.

I foolishly fancied we were going to take a rural walk, when, to my surprise, we seemed never to get to the end of street after

street.

I should have been amused at the novelty of every thing I saw, if I had not been obliged to endure the peevishness of the tired boy and the pertness of the girl, who pulled me first or

one side, and then on the other. The weather also being very hot, my walk, as may be imagined, was any thing but refreshing.

I was heartily glad when we returned to the lodgings; but instead of being allowed to go to my room and sit down to rest, Lady McJames desired me to undress the children, and then to dress them for dinner.

That meal was therefore being put upon the table before I was at liberty to mount to my little attic to dress myself, completely tired in mind and body.

At dinner, the silent Sir James again made his appearance, and I soon found that both he and every one else were secondary (with his wife) to their children. They were always helped first, talked loud and impudently, while their fond mother thought, and indeed called them to their faces, the most talented, witty, and lovely creatures in existence.

I was obliged to give these cross and very stupid young things fresh lessons after dinner, though it was quite evident all my attempts to instruct them were utterly thrown away.

In the evening I felt quite pleased when the elegant and gentle-mannered Lady Eustace again made her appearance, though I knew that it was a signal for my being re-examined. Accordingly, at the desire of Lady McJames, the kind Lady Eustace questioned me as to what I knew of Italian, and she was good enough to say that I read and translated it extremely well, and that it was a great pity I could not keep it up under a good master.

I could play a little on the piano, sufficiently to teach beginners, and I accompanied the guitar with my voice, but this latter acquirement I kept to myself, as I dreaded, if I had produced my poor mother's instrument, it would soon be destroyed by these rude and spoiled children.

I felt very sorry when I found that Lady Eustace was going out of town, and on taking leave in the evening she said it would be some months before they met again.

I need not repeat the unprofitable drudgery I had hourly to undergo the ensuing fortnight, before the family left town for Scotland, nor the

misery I felt in knowing that I was tied to it for the next twelve months. Indeed if I had not, I had no alternative. I had not a single friend nor a place to go to.

It was settled that the whole family were to start the following Monday for Scotland in the travelling carriage, while Mrs. Patterson (the lady's maid) and myself were to follow on the Wednesday, with all the heavy luggage in a Leith smack.

I was not then aware what a Leith smack was, and rather congratulated myself when I found that I was not to be crammed into or upon the carriage, when I saw it set off.

Sir James was on the front seat with Miss Jane, and Master Jamie in the rumble with the footman. Lady McJames and the four younger children occupied the inside.

I heard her ladyship giving directions to Mrs. Patterson not to have any thing fresh, as there was plenty of provisions left behind for her and myself.

This plenty, as I afterwards found, and which was to last two persons three days, was

the remnant of a stale shoulder of veal, and half a loaf.

When the carriage drove off, Mrs. Patterson informed me that she meant to pass the time till Wednesday with a friend who kept a shop in the Strand, and desired that I would be quite ready by Wednesday evening. She then left the house, and I proceeded to my little attic, where I employed myself all the morning in packing up my things.

At three o'clock the civil maid of the house came to ask me what I would have for dinner, and when I should like to have it.

I repeated what Lady McJames had said about the plenty, (entirely believing it,) and said any thing would do.

The girl smiled as she informed me of the profusion left behind.

"Never mind," said I, "it will be more than enough for me."

She then said she would place it in the drawing-room, as it would be more cheerful there than below.