"I will in that case be happy to hear the nature of her communication; and whatever my poor services can perform, your ladyship may command them." "I--I--I cannot just assert," said her ladyship with hesitation, "that I have Miss Mowbray's direct instructions to speak to you, Mr.Cargill, upon the present subject.

But my affection for the dear girl is so very great--and then, you know, the inconveniences which may arise from this match." "From which match, Lady Penelope ?" said Mr.Cargill.
"Nay, now, Mr.Cargill, you really carry the privilege of Scotland too far--I have not put a single question to you, but what you have answered by another--let us converse intelligibly for five minutes, if you can but condescend so far." "For any length of time which your ladyship may please to command," said Mr.Cargill, "provided the subject regard your ladyship's own affairs or mine,--could I suppose these last for a moment likely to interest you." "Out upon you," said the lady, laughing affectedly; "you should really have been a Catholic priest instead of a Presbyterian.

What an invaluable father confessor have the fair sex lost in you, Mr.Cargill, and how dexterously you would have evaded any cross-examinations which might have committed your penitents!" "Your ladyship's raillery is far too severe for me to withstand or reply to," said Mr.Cargill, bowing with more ease than her ladyship expected; and, retiring gently backward, he extricated himself from a conversation which he began to find somewhat embarrassing.
At that moment a murmur of surprise took place in the apartment, which was just entered by Miss Mowbray, leaning on her brother's arm.

The cause of this murmur will be best understood, by narrating what had passed betwixt the brother and sister..