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A little before eight o'clock, at the close of a damp autumn day, a post-chaise entered Bath, on the London Road, and presently drew up outside a house in Sydney Place It was a hired vehicle, but it was drawn by four horses, and there was nothing in the appearance of the lady who occupied it to suggest that a private chaise, with her own postilions, would have been rather beyond her touch She was accoed ote of twilled silk which so exactly fitted her adnised at a glance that it had been made for her by a arance only rivalled by the hat which becoail Wendover's face No curled plumes or bunches of flowers adorned this confection: it was ros de Naples, bound with a satin ribbon; its poke was moderate, and its crown shallow; but it was as fashionable as the redingote

The face beneath it was neither that of a girl in her first bloom, nor that of an accredited beauty, but it held an elusive charhter which lurked in theence; but her other features were not ree for beauty, her nose too far removed from the classical, and her chin rather too resolute Her hair was neither fashionably dark nor angelically fair, but of a soft brown It was not cropped, after the prevailing mode; she wore it braided round her head, or in a knot from which curls fell about her ears Occasionally, and in defiance of her niece's vehemently expressed disapproval, she tied a lace cap over it Fanny said that it nantly when she answered, in her pretty, musical voice: 'Well, I am an old maid!'

It seeerly awaited, for hardly had the chaise drawn up than the door of the house which was her ho out to let down the steps of the chaise He was followed by an elderly butler, who handed his , Miss Abby! Well, and it is a good evening which brings you hoain! I am very happy to see you, ma'am!'

'Oh, and so happy as I am, Mitton!' she responded 'I don't think I was ever away for so many weeks before! Is my sister well?'

'Pretty stout,a touch of rheumatism She was a trifle down pin when you first went away, and took the notion into her head that she was of a consumptive habit –'

'Oh, no!' exclaimed Abby, in comical dismay

'No, reed Mitton 'It was no h – as the new doctor was able to convince her' His tone was one of bland respect, but there was a twinkle in his eye, which drew an involuntary chuckle frolad she will be to see you, Miss Abby Quite on the fidgets she has been for hours past, fearing that there ht be another put-off'

'Then I ht step into the house, leaving Mitton to extend

a gracious welcome to her attendant

Since the struggle for position between the butler grown old in the service of the fahters, was unre a note of patronage, and merely adjured him never to mind how she did, but to take care of Miss Abby's jewel-box