saying, she was amply repaid by my society, and the hope that I did not dislike hers.

She advised me not to say a word to any one of my having the money I mentioned in my possession; "for," said she, "you will be very glad of it if you should wish, or be obliged, eventually to leave Scotland."

She then gave me some insight into the McJames family. Sir James was, she said, a worthy, though a very proud man, and being first cousin to Lord Eustace, the families were occasionally thrown much together, though it was evident that the beautiful and accomplished wife of the latter (who was an Irish lady) did not relish the society of the ignorant and disagreeable Lady McJames.

The time I now passed with Mrs. Davies was spent profitably, as well as pleasantly, for while she amused my mind by taking me to every thing worth seeing, she gave me most excellent advice for my future conduct.

How often have I congratulated myself that I fell into such kind and excellent hands. At length the time arrived when I must part

VOL. I.

F

from this sincere friend, who reminded me that if I did not make her house my home whenever I wanted one, she should be seriously angry and distressed.

As I got into the hackney coach with Mrs. Patterson, my eyes blinded with tears, I felt as if all my troubles were beginning again.

My companion was quite bitter in her exclamations of astonishment at my grief, which I therefore took great pains to conceal.

After a long drive we reached the wharf from which we were to embark, and I never shall forget the scene of confusion that presented itself. Mrs. Patterson seemed quite at home, pushing about in every direction, and calling out to me to "stick close."

When I saw the dirty collier in which we were to sail, I was perfectly shocked, and ventured to ask my companion whether there was not some mistake, showing at the same time a reluctance to step on board.

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Mistake, no to be sure," said she. "If it's gude enough for me, it's gude enough for the like of you, I think."

Saying which she hurried me on board, and after passing through shoals of small craft, we at length gained the open ocean.

I then became so deadly sick that I could hold up my head no longer, and seeking the wretched bed, in the equally wretched cabin, I found myself with two women as ill as myself. For three days we suffered terribly, during all which time Mrs. Patterson never once came to inquire after me, though I heard her voice loud and cheerful on the deck.

I can scarcely remember how we landed at the dirty town of Leith. I only recollect being packed into a sort of cart with Mrs. Patterson and the luggage, and not stopping till we reached a tall consumptive-looking house in the old town of Edinburgh. Here we got

out.

An old hag answered the knock at the door, and informed us that "my leddy" and the family had left town, very angry we had not arrived on the day appointed, and were now at their Castle of Loch Ruff, to which place we were immediately to follow them.

"I sha'n't stir the night," said Mrs. Patterson. "Please yourself," growled the old woman,

66

only dinna keep me all the day at the door."

"I must have something to eat," responded Mrs. Patterson.

"Weel," replied the hag, "there's parridge below for ye baith."

Parridge," repeated my companion, “if ye have naething better than that, I'm off to my cousin Lickspune's."

Saying which, after seeing her own trunks safe in the house, she started off, leaving me with the old woman.

"I suppose you are the Englisher they talked off to teach the young leddies. Weel, I do think a bonny Scotch lassie wad do quite as weel and better too."

She then walked into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the passage.

Being very chilly and hungry, I took courage and followed her into a gloomy back room, where an old man, (her husband,) was cowering over some embers; for though it

was July, the air felt cold and quite different from England.

"Weel," said the cross old woman, “ye mak y'rsel free I see."

I told her that I was sick, cold, and hungry, and should be glad if she would allow me to share her fire, and let me have something to

eat.

"I suppose," she replied, "you will turn up your nose, as Kattie Patterson did, at the parridge which my leddy left for ye baith."

I told her that I should be very glad to have a little tea.

"Tea!" repeated she, "and pray where is it to come from? I am sure not a drop has passed my lips these five years."

I offered to pay for it, as well as for bread and butter, if she would have the goodness to procure it, adding, I hoped she would partake it with me.

This had a wonderful effect, for she immediately ordered her sickly-looking husband to go out and procure the necessary articles, for