the torrent had driven him among the rocks: the drowning man was stunned. Look again, he has ventured on yon slippery stone, that needs the coolest head, and the firmest foot to tread on: he has both. With one arm he clings to a friendly alder bough: Help nears him: with the other he touches the sufferer's hair. Thank God they have drawn him to the shore!

At this critical moment, when the greatest danger still remained of securely landing the rescued stranger, Kenneth came in sight, who suspecting something wrong when he missed Sandie at their appointed time and place of meeting, had returned in search of him, tracking his steps with the ease familiar to those who are in the daily habit of identifying the print of deer or grouse, along the moist hill-sides. And humanely did he second his brave boy's efforts. Their united strength sufficed to the generous work. And with stout hearts breasting the rugged cliff, they placed their apparently inanimate burden under their rude but hospitable roof.

B

CHAPTER IX.

"Then opened wide the baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And Ceremony doffed his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose."

SCOTT.

EAUTIFUL Morayshire! the storm which so late swept over you has pass

ed away. Is this the scene which was so desolate but yesterday? Heaven's vault looks so serenely and permanently blue; the only wonder is, that clouds should ever dim it. The face of Nature is refreshed, gladdened as by a new creation. Spicy perfumes breathe from larch and fir. How green the fan-like brachens sprout among the rocks! The bee is going forth again to the sweetly blooming ling. The

dragon-fly is whizzing by, poised in the warm sun-beam.

The neat little town of Tanachy had been in a state of unusual activity from the earliest dawn. Flags floated gaily from the humblest cottage; triumphal arches of choice flowers, arranged under the especial care of the Duke's head gardener and his staff of thirty subalterns, spanned the carriage drives at the most conspicuous points. Happy groups of country people, dressed in their holiday attire, flocked in from the neighbouring villages. Even old Donald himself was smartened up for the occasion, and honoured the day by the production of a new ginger-coloured coat with bright brass buttons, on which the skill of the village artificer had incessantly employed itself for some days past. The modest little shops put forth their best wares in the windows, and displayed a variety of new importations. One in particular was decked out almost in Bond Street fashion, with spangled waistcoats, and kid gloves, from Glasgow, which the owner, a pompous cherry-cheeked little man, took espe

cial pains to acquaint the neighbourhood had been expressly ordered down for the ball that night by the visitors at the Castle.

Carriages came and went through the village street all the morning long, and every one peeped from his house door to see them dash along. But a particular excitement was discoverable in the youthful portion of the female population. This was owing to the preparations which were making to display their personal charms to the utmost advantage, in the evening, at the dance to which the condescension of the Duke had invited the workmen on his estate, with their wives and daughters. If there is anything in which these children of nature pride themselves upon-and vanity will find its way even into rustic breasts-it is upon the toilette of their head dress. And truly one may well be disposed to pardon them the weakness. So remarkably indeed do they possess the secret of that embellishment, that (if we may do so without giving them offence), we would advise some of our Southron sisters to

take a lesson from their book.

Nowhere will

you see this 'glory' of women so skilfully set off, as in the simple braid or silken net with which they gather up their beautiful tresses. To even a plain face a classical contour is given, and a finely-formed head is set off to twofold advantage: one is at a loss whether most to admire the simplicity of the means employed, or the grace of the effect produced. And accordingly many a pretty head was braided, and re-braided, before the mirror half a dozen times that morning, and many an hour, we fear, was spent in discussing the merits of this or that scarf or plaid. Many a bosom beat high among the rival rustic fair ones, and many a prophecy was ventured among the matrons, as to who would be singled out for the honour of leading off the ball with the young heir-apparent, whose choice would doubtless determine who should bear during the ensuing year the palm for beauty. Annie Gray was the reputed belle last year: but Effie Munro had now her band of admirers too, and was fast becoming a dangerous rival.