MISADVENTURES Of A LOVKK. 



was proposed that she should be succeeded by her sister. Ruth was 

 not without her misgivings ; but she knew little of Isabella, and how- 

 ever probable it might be that there had been some want of patience 

 and forbearance, she never doubted her having been unfortunate in 

 her situations. 



Isabella and her parents had no fears, and she reached Larch Hills 

 a week before the wedding, in high spirits, with as many gay clothes 

 as the shortness of the notice had allowed her to collect, and a substan- 

 tial proof of the favour in which her succession was viewed in Throg- 

 morton Street, in the shape of a silver tea-pot, cream-ewer, and 

 sugar-bason, in addition to the parental present before mentioned. 



The venerable father of Mr. M'Neil left his distant Highland home, 

 on what he felt would be his last earthly pilgrimage, to perform the 

 holy rite which was to unite an only and beloved son to the woman 

 he had chosen as the partner of his life, bringing with him his young 

 and amiable daughter. 



All was delightful anticipation at Larch Hills. 



" John,'' said Diana Maitland, the evening before the wedding, 

 "you are to be best man!" " Yes. Who is to be best maid?* It 

 is time I should enquire,'' replied John, looking involuntarily at the 

 beautiful Grace M'Neil. " Oh ! all of us." " Indeed !" said John, 

 bowing profoundly, " four superlatives ! four times more fortunate 

 than 1 supposed myself to be. How shall I quarter my devotions? 

 Miss M'Neil, will you instruct me ?" " Nonsense, John, four bride's 

 maids, which of us would you be so cruel as to leave out?" asked 

 Flora. 



The day arrived. Half an hour before dinner the solemn ordi- 

 nance was performed in the drawing-room at Larch Hills. Ruth 

 sat down to dinner Mrs. M'Neil, took possession of the manse in the 

 evening, two days afterwards received her venerable father-in-law 

 and the lovely Grace as her visitors for a week, at the end of which 

 time they returned to the Highlands; she entered upon her domestic 

 and Isabella upon her didactic duties. 



(To be continued.') 



MISADVENTURES OF A LOVER. 

 CHAP. II. 



(Continued from page 551 of vol. xx.) 



THE only daughter of Sir Robert S , arrived on the 16th April, 



182 , at the principal inn in one of the neighbouring towns. By 

 chance I learnt several particulars respecting the young lady; and I 

 ascertained, moreover, that her father was on the continent at the 

 time, and that she had no other biped accompaniment than an ancient 

 aunt. Report spoke of the baronet's daughter as a perfect beauty ; 

 as being heiress of an immense fortune ; and as being withal remark- 



* Best man, beat maid Scottish terms for bridegrooms man, bride's maid. 



