I recollected our right honourable father's denunciations against Scottish marriages, and secret marriages of all sorts,--denunciations perhaps not the less vehement, that he might feel some secret prick of conscience on the subject himself.

I remembered that my grave brother had always been a favourite, and I forgot not--how was it possible I could forget--those ominous expressions, which intimated a possibility of the hereditary estate and honours being transferred to the elder, instead of the younger son.

Now, it required no conjurer to foresee, that should Francis commit this inexpiable crime of secretly allying himself with a Scottish beauty, our sire would lose all wish to accomplish such a transference in his favour; and while my brother's merits were altogether obscured by such an unpardonable act of disobedience, my own, no longer overshadowed by prejudice or partiality, would shine forth in all their natural brilliancy.

These considerations, which flashed on me with the rapidity of lightning, induced me to consent to hold Frank's back-hand, during the perilous game he proposed to play.

I had only to take care that my own share in the matter should not be so prominent as to attract my father's attention; and this I was little afraid of, for his wrath was usually of that vehement and forcible character, which, like lightning, is attracted to one single point, there bursting with violence as undivided as it was uncontrollable.
"I soon found the lovers needed my assistance more than I could have supposed; for they were absolute novices in any sort of intrigue, which to me seemed as easy and natural as lying.