THE LAIRDS OF FIFE. CHAPTER I. Hæc, Auguste, tamen, quæ vertice sidera pulsat, MARTIAL. 8-2-48 thent " ARRIVED at Fife-hall, Fifeshire, Mrs Fife.”— 66 Very swift intelligence, indeed," continued Colonel Brown, laying down the paper, "when we know that the lady has been safe in her own home for the last fifteen days at least." "Yes, papa. But you know it would not have done to have had her arrival so very soon announced. We ladies have got a great deal to do before we can conveniently appear to any one, you must understand." "Of that, my dear," returned Colonel Brown, rather briskly resuming the newspaper, " I must certainly be perfectly aware, especially since it forms so principal a part in the system of all female perfections. But what, after all, is to be done with that curious body, Mrs Fife? Had we not better pay our visit at the Hall tomorrow, and get rid of our necessity at once?" "The weather favours, too," said Miss Brown; and she rose to adjourn to the musicroom, to observe Mr Squeake simper and prelude upon the piano-forte; who suspected that to be the surest, as well as the easiest method, of securing both the young lady's money and her good opinion. For this young lady was one of the many young ladies who must provide to themselves every possible advantage of education, without possessing either the taste, genius, or even the inclination to improve it. "I am so sorry, Mr Squeake," she began; "but it will be impossible for me to take my lesson to-morrow morning, as I shall be engaged with papa at Fife-hall. You know Mrs Fife?" "Mrs Fife of Fife-hall?" squeaked in reply Mr Squeake. The young lady nodded. "O, perfectly, perfectly! She liked my quadrilles very much indeed." (Immense emphasis on the word indeed). "She has got other nine sets since that, Mr Squeake," observed the young lady this time rather demurely. "Ah!-Really?-Well! But she is returned to Fife-hall, is she?" "Yes; we have just seen it mentioned in the newspaper; and papa intends taking me there, as I told you, to-morrow morning." "Ah! Why, I daresay I shall be obliged to call there myself to-morrow morning." "Have you got that piece, Mr Squeake, that was played by Cramer at his last concert?" said the young lady, politely declining to perceive the hint that was, we cannot say exactly, couched in the word obliged. For she had no idea of carrying her music-master with her in a close carriage:-A mode of conveyance, by the way, which she generally inclined to keep all to herself. "Cramer?-Cramer?-Did you say Cramer? Oh! he's a great man, Cramer. Shall I give you one of his Studios?" "Pray do. Number thirty-two-it has such a sweet air in it." "Well, I like the first best," observed Mr Squeake, simpering; "and don't you like the twenty-third and twenty-sixth ?" he ventured to add. "Play the first over again," said Miss Brown quietly. “Ah, very fine!" "Shall I give it you as your lesson to-day, Ma'amselle?" inquired Mr Squeake. 66 To-day! Mr Squeake! why my hour is come." For the hour of emancipation was the one to which she was generally accustomed to allude. "O, dear! I hope not;" simpered Mr Squeake; and his silly smile sufficed to fill up the remainder of the compliment. "Why, I don't know," cried the young lady, |