great expence to gratify; and having given up all expectation of being bleffed with a family, they were not folicitous about the future poffeffion of what they believed would add fo little to their felicity. The thoughts of living in a house of their own, unmolefted by the caprice of any one, was highly agreeable, and in their eftimation, made ample amends for the lofs of a little parade; and they looked forward to the change, from a great house to a small one; from a coach and fix, to a chaife and pair, without the fmalleft regret. Four days after the receipt of Sir George's letter, he and his lady arrived, accompanied by Mrs. Western, Mifs Harland, Mifs Henly, and three or four other town beaus and belles, whom her Ladyfhip had collected in or der to give spirit and brilliancy to her appearance at Woodburn. Her first addrefs to Mrs. Maitland was stiff and diftant, diftant, as that of the Baronet was confused and full of hefitation; but no fooner did fhe understand her intention of leaving the house that very evening, than it fuddenly changed to the utmost politeness and good humour. She expreffed much regret at the thoughts of lofing her company, and that of Mr. Maitland, fo very foon; hoped they would often vifit Woodburn, and, if poffible, get a house in its neighbourhood; adding, that the fhould always be happy to confider them, and every part of Sir George's family, as her own. In these civilities, and kind wifhes, the Baronet fincerely united. He appeared much pleased with the behaviour of his Lady upon this occafion, and at taking leave, joined their hands, expreffing the most earnest defire that they might become fifters in affection and difpofition, as well as in name. An expreffive look from Mr. Maitland, at that moment, moment, called up the colouring of confcious folly into the face of Sir George; it was not neceffary to ask its explanation, he turned filently away. Mr. and Mrs. Maitland had not been a month at Burnet Lodge, before an elegant little feat at the diftance of about two miles from Woodburn became vacant, which Sir George earnestly requefted his brother to take, that he might fecure to himself the certainty of his continuance in the neighbourhood. No objection could be made to the propofal, and before the month of July was expired, it was completely fitted up, and the family fettled in it, with every circumstance of convenience and propriety. CHAP CHAPTER VI. MODERN COUNTRY LIFE. NOTHING could be more per fectly oppofite than the modes of living at Woodburn Manor, and Furze Hill, (fo was Mr. Maitland's new feat called.) All the order, regularity and comfort, which was wont to reign there, was changed for the buftle, parade, and uncertainty of modern life. The family feldom affembled at breakfast before twelve; after which, as each formed his own party, and chose his own amufement, Sir George generally found himself alone till fix, which was the hour of dinner. The morning was ufually spent by Lady Maitland at her toilet; for drefs was the principal pleafure of her life; and fhe had, comparatively, little taste for any other. Du ring the progrefs of this confequential business, she always declared, that there was nothing fo difagreeable as being interrupted, nor was her husband by any means excepted in this general exclufion; if he ventured to intrude himself for a few moments into her dreffingroom, her fretful peevishness, and the impatience expreffed in her looks, and the accents with which the replied to every thing he spoke, foon obliged him to retreat. At dinner, however, he had the pleafure of feeing her compleatly elegant. No body had fo much tafte! and the appeared every day at the head of her table, in all the fplendour of fashion and felf-fatisfied beauty. It was not, indeed, particularly for him, that her charms were displayed to fo much advantage, for Woodburn was become a general rendezvous for all the genteel families in its vicinity. Their first visits, had |