As soon as they were gone, the porter informed us, that just as the clock struck twelve, he and his companions, who were on the watch, saw the housemaid unlock the front door with her false key and admit her two confederates. In an instant, and before she could close it, the officers who were on the outside rushed in and seized the men while in the very act of bursting open the door of the old porter's apartment.

The pistol shot which I had heard was fired by one of the desperadoes, who was urged by the abandoned Sally to fire another. It was, however, fortunately struck from his hand, and with such violence, as almost to break his arm. It is doubtful whether, if the precaution had not been taken to introduce two other officers into the house, the villains might not have got the better, so fierce had been their struggle, aided by their female associate, who acted like a desperate fury.

The end of these lawless and unhappy beings may be easily guessed. They were all three transported, I believe, for life.

When Colonel D'Arcy and his friends arrived, a week after this event, I did not of course trouble them with a detail of what had passed; but a few days after, the colonel heard all the particulars from his banker, and both he and Sir Howell and Lady Gwynne were so kind as to commend me much for the precautions I had taken, and which they said they felt assured had not only saved his valuable property, but what was of infinitely greater importance, the life of at least one fellow creature: for one of the villains confessed afterwards that they meant to have murdered the porter and his son, if they had made the slightest resist

ance.

I was much pleased to see that Colonel D'Arcy was looking better, though his spirits were still much affected. He was always fond of retirement, therefore he missed every moment that dear companion, from whom he had scarcely ever been separated a whole day from the hour of their marriage.

I have not yet mentioned that the colonel had a half-sister, a Miss Stevenson. The fact

is, I had as yet seen very little of her, and that little did not prepossess me in her favour. She was two years younger than her brother, but looked at least five or six years older. She was very fat and clumsily made, with a sallow complexion, and the most ill-natured, disagreeable countenance I ever saw. Her temper was even worse than her looks denoted, and the gentle Mrs. D'Arcy had suffered so much. from her vulgar violence that the colonel had at last been obliged to forbid her his house during the last few months of his wife's life. At her death, this lady (Miss Stevenson) had written to offer to keep Colonel D'Arcy's house for him, but this he declined. She now again wrote to say, that she meant to pay him a visit for a few weeks. This he could not well refuse, and he congratulated himself that Sir Howell and Lady Gwynne happened at this time to be his guests.

When Miss Stevenson arrived, she threw a chill over the whole house. Vulgar and violent, she interfered with every thing, and every body. She accused the elegant Lady Gwynne of hav

ing, as she genteely expressed it, "smouched all the clothes of the late Mrs. D'Arcy!" When assured that they had all been given at that lady's dying request to me, she attacked her memory in a manner that made me shudder, and told me that she considered her late sisterin-law "a regular fool, to leave all her rich things to such an insignificant young chit" as I was, when she herself ought to have had them.

She abused me in the most vulgar manner, but I did not like to complain, as I knew how much it would distress her excellent brother. Lady Gwynne, however, who had heard all, determined to endeavour to put a stop to her insolence, and accordingly took the first opportunity of informing Colonel D'Arcy of all that had passed, and how cruelly Miss Stevenson had abused me, since she had discovered that his late lady had left me her wardrobe. The colonel, aware of the vile temper of his sister, and that entreaties and reasoning were alike useless, told her plainly, that she must either conduct herself as be

came a gentlewoman and his sister, or quit his house.

66

I will not quit it," she exclaimed;

"here

I am, and here I will stay. I have as much right to remain here as that haughty Welshwoman, (Lady Gwynne,) or that trumpery young hussey you call your housekeeper."

It was in vain Colonel D'Arcy endeavoured to soothe this fury, by assuring her that Sir Howell and Lady Gwynne were only on a visit, and that I remained in charge of his house, in consequence of the dying request of his wife.

"I don't believe a word of it," screamed Miss Stevenson; " and you need not think to impose upon me. A pretty sort of housekeeper indeed! If I don't look sharp, you will be married to the low wretch some of

these days."

Colonel D'Arcy, who, like all brave men, was particularly gentle to women, could bear this no longer, but told her at once that he would not suffer his peace, and the comfort of his friends, to be broken in upon by her