lique to the left leg on which he stood; and jabbering something St. Clyde could not comprehend, Glass, as his fickle fancy had veered, wheeled round and fled, with the fleetness of a beast of prey.

The two scenes St. Clyde had now seen at the carne on the muir, flitted alternately in his mind. The story of John Carr respecting Shemus Macalester being employed by Whiggans; the presentiment of accomplices to his father's murder; the retrospection of the last sad interview he had with his sire; the appearance of Glass; the reproof, the idiot wrath that fast was gathering in his breast; his own presence of mind in checking Glass's career of revenge; the unintelligible rhyme, crowded and pressed upon his mind in heedless succession; and he found his way home to the manse, he knew not how; but he got home.

And as he could not dissemble the agitation of his mind, Ellen was distressed, and entreated him to tell her," who that man was he had been to see, and what he had said that so disquieted his spirits;" for she was inquisitive to learn Carr's history from Colin, as she supposed he had been put in possession of that alone.

Colin dissembled partially, that is to say, he told her truth, but not all the truth she wished to know. He said generally, "it was not the most intelligible tale he had heard; but if she would, like a good girl, repress her curiosity, he might yet be able to tell her all. But," added he, "I am afraid I have offended the minister's favourite servant, Sandy Glass."

"O, heavens!" exclaimed Ellen, "I would not for the whole isle you of fended that poor lad."

Why, my love, what can it be to

me, that he chooses to take the pet. I'll order my servant to cane the fool."

"Do not, Colin, do not, my brother, talk of caning Glass; the poor lad is a fool, he is a sort of idiot, and He who deigned not to illumine Glass's mind with reason, is the God of the silly as well as the wise: poor Glass," and applying her handkerchief to her eyes, "is as true to nature as the needle to the pole. He has been the unceasing servant of the manse ever since our dear father was destroyed, and our loving mother and tender sister died:" and Ellen and he both weeped; and she got relief, and proceeded,- -"Poor Glass, coming every morning from his mother's-his mother's house, there's a charm in that word, Colin, a distance of two miles: it is not much he can do, but what he can he does cheerfully, for the minister leaves his work entirely to his own

VOL. III.

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fancies; and going home again at a late hour to his mother's in winter, through miry roads and trackless snow! O, Colin! my dear! do not quarrel with Glass; do not, I entreat you."

"But we have quarrelled; and I never saw a more savage-looking animal in my life."

"Then you must have greatly offended him, for it's the wrath of the furies that pours itself forth from Glass's mind when insulted; you must have insulted him; he is tender of his honour: you may smile; but, my dear brother, I once saw him reproved by our uncle Villejuive, for intruding his presence into a little circle that was formed before the manse door, when that gentleman paid Mr. Levingstone a visit here; and I shall never forget the contortions of Glass's face, and the writhings of his body. I believe there was no one present, but wished Sandy

at I-colm-kill; and it was all from M. Villejuive bidding Sandy, in a very rough tone, go about his business, what did he want amongst gentlemen ?"

Why, the cases are very nearly parallel; I had only asked why he intruded himself on me?"

Well, my dear Colin, that is just the way to put Glass in a passion; he fancies he is welcome every where: he will not go into any room of the house, but into every kitchen, into every barn and stable; he eats whatever is given him, he puts his hand to work at any little thing, he goes any message, and delivers it accurately too; indeed Glass is an universal favourite, and my dear brother has too much respect for himself to be at odds with a half-witted lad."

Well, my dear Ellen, I'll make it up with the fellow in the course of to morrow."