a shrill and angry note as she bustled along the lower apartments calling aloud for Timothy, who having been out of the way on the previous might, had not yet seen his new master. This ancient domestic had passed nearly the whole of his life in the house, where he had successively filled all offices, in doors and out, from the lowest to the highest. For many years, when the old Cavalier became infirm and gouty, he had waited upon him in the double capacity of a crutch whose arm was always ready to support him, and of a companion who might toddle about with him, and amuse him by the freedom of his remarks. His master, attached to him from a long experience of his fidelity, and ever willing to laugh at his little oddities and sallies, had always encouraged in him a degree of familiarity, not to say impertinence, which utterly confounded all distinctions of rank; while in his latter years the Cavalier had sunk into such a state of superannuated fatuity, that Timothy had in fact become the master of his master; and long habit and impunity, as well as his own increasing age, had now incapacitated him from

treating his superiors with a whit more respect than he evinced towards his equals. It was from habit too that he remained in the house; for though his own savings and a small legacy from his master, had rendered him independent, he declared that he would never quit Goldingham Place till he was turned out. Some called him a queer old wag, some a superannuated dotard, and some a saucy menial spoilt by indulgence; and yet his honesty and good conduct in other respects had ever been so unimpeachable, that Timothy continued to be a sort of chartered offender, enjoying the privileges, although he did not fulfil the functions, of the old professional jester. Adhering to the fashion which existed in his younger days, he wore trunk hose and suffered his beard to grow; his head was bald; though his face was furrowed with age, his ruddy cheek attested him to be still hale and hearty; and his countenance exhibited a constant simper, of which it was difficult to say whether it partook more of slyness or silliness.

Such was the personage, who having always been accustomed to see his former master ar

rayed in periwig and powder, lace and embroidery, a sword by his side and a star upon his breast, made a dead halt as he entered the parlour, in obedience to Goldingham's orders, and after having measured him two or three fimes from top to toe, and ever with an increasing smile of derisive astonishment, at last terminated his survey by a low chuckle, and a correspondent jerk of his left shoulder.

"What are you sniggering at, fellow ?" said Isaac, fixing upon him in return his stern grey

eye.

"By my troggs!" replied Timothy, renewing his scrutiny, "I can hardly tell, for it's all to nothing the queerest object I ever clapped eyes on, but I am positively told that it be the new

master.

“And prythee, fellow, do you always behave in this saucy way to your master ?"

“Why, I never had such a comical one before, and I'm not very particular at any time.” "Nor I either,” said Goldingham, angrily ; “and though I am willing to make every allowance for an old fool

"For which of us?" interrupted Timothy,

with a sheepish leer.

"Harkee, sirrah !” cried Isaac in some wrath, "if you wish to continue in my service you must forego this merry Andrew's license of your tongue. I want no undue servility-I hate it but I will be treated with respect. Hem! I sent for you to show me the way over the estate, and to accompany me to my different tenants."

"By my troggs! I've no kind of objection to take a walk with you, master, provided it doesn't rain." Going to the window he looked up at the sky in different directions, and coming deliberately back continued-" It seems like to be showery by and by, so the sooner we set out the better"—at the same time tendering his arm to his companion, who exclaimed rather indignantly-"What! do you take me for the gouty Cavalier? Sirrah! I need no man's support."

"So much the better," said Timothy, "for the old gentleman used sometimes to lean plaguy hard, and I've often threatened to leave him in

the lurch if he didn't make his own stumps carry a little more of his own carcase."

"Troth! you are the most unceremonious fellow of a servant that I ever heard of," said Isaac, preparing to set off.

"Like enough, like enough," replied Timothy, "we're a queerish couple, I take it.— You must come back, Sir; that's not the door that leads into the park. This way-this way

-follow me, and you shall see every corner of the old place."

nook and

Being conducted by this eccentric and free spoken domestic to the terrace in front of the building, Isaac was at length enabled to obtain

a survey of his new purchase. The house was of moderate dimensions, consisting of two low stories, with an embattled stone coping at top, whence arose a high sloping roof, crowned by a belfry in the centre. Massy oaken frames divided the small panes of the windows, which were provided with musquet-proof outside shutters; and a heavy porch, projecting from the middle of the building, supplied the place of a hall. For the purpose of defence during