certainty and ignorance, the slightest gleam that promises intelligence is interesting. My life is like the subterranean river in the Peak of Derby, visible only where it crosses the celebrated cavern. I am here, and thus much I know; but where I have sprung from, or whither my course of life is like to tend, who shall tell me? Your father, too, seemed interested and alarmed, and talked of writing; would to Heaven he may !-I send daily to the post-town for letters.

LETTER VIII.

ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER.

THOU may'st clap thy wings and crow as thou pleasest. You go in search of adventures, but adventures come to me unsought for; and oh in what a pleasing shape came mine, since it came in form of a client-and a fair client to boot! What think you of that, Darsie, you who are such a sworn squire of dames? Will this not match my adventures with thine, that hunt salmon on horseback, and eclipse the history of a whole tribe of Broadbrims?-but I must proceed methodically.

When I returned to-day from the College, I was surprised to see a broad grin distending the adust countenance of the faithful James Wilki n

son, which, as the circumstance seldom happens above once a-year, was matter of some surprise. Moreover, he had a knowing glance with his eye, which I should have as soon expected from a dumb waiter-an article of furniture to which James, in his usual state, may be happily assimilated. "What the devil is the matter, James ?"

"The devil may be in the matter, for aught I ken," said James, with another provoking grin; "for here has been a woman calling for you, Maister Alan."

"A woman calling for me?" said I in surprise; for you know well, that excepting old Aunt Peggie, who comes to dinner of a Sunday, and the still older Lady Bedrooket, who calls ten times a-year for the quarterly payment of her jointure of four hundred merks, a female scarce approaches our threshold, as my father visits all his female clients at their own lodgings. James protested, however, that there had been a lady calling, and for me. As bonny a lass as I have

seen,' added James,

since I was in the Fusiliers,

and kept company with Peg Baxter.' Thou

knowest all James's gay recollections go back to the period of his military service, the years he has spent in ours having probably been dull enough. "Did the lady leave no name nor place of address ?"

"No," replied James; " but she asked when you wad be at hame, and I appointed her for twelve o'clock, when the house wad be quiet, and your father at the Bank."

"For shame, James! how can you think my father's being at home or abroad could be of consequence? The lady is of course a decent person."

"I'se uphaud her that, sir-she is nane of your -whew-[Here James supplied a blank with a low whistle-but I didna ken-my maister makes an unco wark if a woman comes here."

I passed into my own room, not ill-pleased that my father was absent, notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James for having so contrived it. I disarranged my books, to give them the appearance of a graceful confusion on the table, and laying my foils (useless since

your departure) across the mantle-piece, that the lady might see I was tam Marte quam MercurioI endeavoured to dispose my dress, so as to resemble an elegant morning dishabille-gave my hair the general shade of powder which marks the gentleman-laid my watch and seals on the table, to mark that I understood the value of time;-and when I had made all these arrangements, of which I am a little ashamed when I think of them, I had nothing better to do than to watch the dialplate till the index pointed to noon. Five minutes elapsed which I allowed for variation of clocks-five minutes more rendered me anxious and doubtful-and five minutes more would have made me impatient.

Laugh as thou wilt; but remember, Darsie, I was a lawyer, expecting his first client-a young man, how strictly bred up I need not remind you, expecting a private interview with a young and beautiful woman. But ere the third term of five minutes had elapsed, the door-bell was heard to tinkle low and modestly, as if touched by some timid hand.

James Wilkinson, swift in nothing, is, as thou