house by more than forty relations; the others were either not entitled to be present at throwing of the stocking, or else they thought it better to keep it up on the barn-floor with "bob at the bouster."

Betsey Sharp, Jessie, and her mother and Mrs. Gillies assisted in undressing the timidly innocent and trembling-limbed Peggy. The sweet rose-bud of youth was no longer visible on her cheeks; her mother chid her; mother Gillies bade her "be strong and fear not ;" and both Jessie and Betsey" wondered what in all the world the silly thing was afraid of in going to bed that night more than any other."

Sweet Peggy heard all, but said nothing; a reply would only have raised a laugh. Now she is fairly beneath the blankets, and the egress of her

mother, Mrs. Gillies, and the young lasses, was the signal for the bridegroom to go into the sacred chamber.

He advanced, followed by every body that could get in; they were all friends; and it was no unseemly sight for the innocent lamb Peggy to be seen in bed with a night-gown and night-cap on, by her relations; and the young St. Clyde, though he had never before seen so delicious a sight, was "a modest lad as any i' country side."

"Now the stocking is thrown," and who should get it? Lieutenant Stuart! Dancing with the bride; catching the stocking; breaking off the largest piece of a merry-thought; and kissing another's partner in place of his ownthese, all these were allowed to be ominous of Charley's wedding happening ere long! Now the bridegroom is in bed; there was not a female then in

the room but the bride, and she was on the inner side of the bed.

A good bumper of pure whisky must now bid the young folks good night. It did so; and, leaving between the sheets the authors of all their mirth and glee, the whole company returned to the barn, which was now going to become a real seely court, every one declaring that " Aurora should lighten the lawn before he left Millhole."

Eating and drinking wants but a beginning. Slices of meat and pieces of bread (they did not there get the name of sandwiches) were served round by Mackirdy and cotter Glass; Lucky Boyd was very well now; it was even said she was "bung on the buirds." Every one now sat down, for "it was comely to sit at meat;" but they would not sit long, for "nobody was tired." There was nobody thirsty, but "eating

always needed drink ;" and every one drank ale or punch, or " callar spring water."

The dance was resumed, and it went on till the morning's dawn; but during the later hours of Seely Court, there were many songs sung; and he or she, who would not, or could not sing, must ask a question nobody could answer, or tell something nobody had ever heard before, or dance a hornpipe.

CHAPTER XIV.

We are na fou, we're nae that fou,
But just a wee drap in our e'e;

The cock may craw, the day may daw,
But ay we'll taste the barley brie.

BURNS.

SONGS were sung with mirthsome glee; and when it came to the dominie's turn to dance, he begged to be excused, one of his legs had not grown so long as the other; no excuse would be taken: "Well, then," said he, “since ye winna let me alane, answer me this ; Whilk is the maist happy, an unmarried lad or a single lassie ?"

"The lassie!" cried many female voices; "the lad!" exclaimed many men: the question was not answered unanimously, and the dominie got off by observing "they might all be happy