Aunt may be somewhat of a character, as her note evinces, but after a few days--" "Nonsense, child; there's nothing in this world I have such a dread of as that confounded woman,--and to come at such a time." "When does she speak of paying her visit ?" "I knew you had not read the note," said Sir George, hastily; "she's coming here to-night,--is on her way this instant, perhaps.

What is to be done?
If she forces her way in here, I shall go deranged outright; O'Malley, my boy, read this note, and you will not feel surprised if I appear in the humor you see me." I took the billet from the hands of Miss Dashwood, and read as follows:-- DEAR BROTHER,--When this reaches your hand, I'll not be far off.

I'm on my way up to town, to be under Dr.Dease for the ould complaint.

Cowley mistakes my case entirely; he says it's nothing but religion and wind.

Father Magrath, who understands a good deal about females, thinks otherwise; but God knows who's right.
Expect me to tea, and, with love to Lucy, Believe me, yours in haste, JUDITH MACAN.
Let the sheets be well aired in my room; and if you have a spare bed, perhaps we could prevail upon Father Magrath to stop too.
I scarcely could contain my laughter till I got to the end of this very free-and-easy epistle; when at last I burst forth in a hearty fit, in which I was joined by Miss Dashwood.
From the account Power had given me in the morning, I had no difficulty in guessing that the writer was the maiden sister of the late Lady Dashwood; and for whose relationship Sir George had ever testified the greatest dread, even at the distance of two hundred miles; and for whom, in any nearer intimacy, he was in no wise prepared.
"I say, Lucy," said he, "there's only one thing to be done: if this horrid woman does arrive, let her be shown to her room; and for the few days of her stay in town, we'll neither see nor be seen by any one." Without waiting for a reply, Sir George was turning away to give the necessary instructions, when the door of the drawing-room was flung open, and the servant announced, in his loudest voice, "Miss Macan." Never shall I forget the poor general's look of horror as the words reached him; for as yet, he was too far to catch even a glimpse of its fair owner.