man in Europe. Another proud wife, who was always sounding her husband's praises, extorted from Swift, whose pen was seldom used for such a purpose, one of the most exquisite tributes ever commanded by a woman :

You always are making a god of your spouse, But that neither reason nor conscience allows; Perhaps you may think it in gratitude due, And you adore him because he adores you. Your argument's weak-and so you will find-For you, by this rule, must adore all mankind! Ben Jonson's well-known epitaph on Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother, the lines just quoted, and the expressive saying, 'To have loved her was a liberal education,' are probably the three finest examples of gallant panegyric in the language. Quin's after-thought was a happy one, when, after telling Lady Berkeley she looked as blooming as the Spring, he remembered the season was anything but a bright one, and added: I wish the Spring would look like your ladyship.' The sight of L. E. L.'s pretty face came like a shock to Hogg, who had abused her terribly whenever he had a chance, and made him exclaim repentantly: 'Oh, dear! I hae written and thocht mony a bitter thing about ye, but I'll do sae nae mair; I didna think ye'd been sae bonny!'

Actors and singers come in for some odd forms of praise. On the death of Richard Burbage, Middleton, the dramatist, wrote:

Astronomers and star-gazers this year
Write but of four eclipses-five appear:
Death interposing Burbage, and their staying,
Hath made a visible eclipse of playing.

Dr Delany, carried away by Mrs Cibber's singing in the Messiah, started up, and cried out: 'Woman, thy sins be forgiven thee!' a testimony to her power the fair singer would probably gladly have dispensed with. George II. was so impressed by Macklin's Shylock, that, upon Sir Robert Walpole expressing a wish it were possible to invent a means of frightening the House of Commons, the king asked him if he could not send the members to see that Irishman play Shakspeare's Jew! Kitty Clive, in very vexation, swore Garrick could act a gridiron. Byron compared witnessing Kean's performances to reading Shakspeare by lightning. Johnson termed Foote the most irrepressible fellow in the world: When you have driven him into a corner, and think you are sure of him, he runs between your legs or jumps over your head, and makes his escape.

The surest way of obtaining praise to one's taste is to praise one's self. Chateaubriand adopted what may be called the comparative method, with the complacent conceit characteristic of his countrymen, contriving to make himself out superior to both Milton and Byron. Milton,' wrote he, 'served Cromwell, I combated Napoleon; he attacked kings, I defended them; he hoped nothing from their pardon, I have not reckoned upon their gratitude. Now that in both our countries monarchy is declining to its end, Milton and I have no political questions to squabble about.' Then, after pointing out certain coincidences in his career and that of Byron, he observes that the only difference in their lives was that Byron's had not been mixed up with such important events as his When somebody congratulated Gilpin upon

own.

the fact that, while all other callings were overcrowded, there were but a limited number of landscape gardeners, he quietly answered: No, there is only one!' A greater man than the self-believing gardener had an equal idea of his superiority over his compeers. Wordsworth, Hogg, and some other poets of more or less renown, met one evening at Christopher North's. A brilliant rainbow drew them out of doors, and the Ettrick Shepherd vowed the beautiful bow was displayed in honour of the assemblage of so many poets. Some little while later he heard Wordsworth mutter to himself: Poets, poets! What does the fellow mean? Where are they?' Much more modest was Sir John Denham when begging Charles II. to spare the life of George Wither, on the plea that, if Wither were executed, he, Sir John, would be the worst poet in England. When Dr Parr, captivated by Erskine's conversational cleverness, called out to him: My lord, I mean to write your epitaph!' the scholar was, by implication, complimenting himself quite as much as Erskine, who capped the doctor's flattering announcement with: It is a temptation to commit suicide!' Parr was vain enough to swallow the lawyer's extravagant compliment; but, as a rule, overpraise damages its subject. Wisely does Sam Slick say: "If you want a son not to fall in love with any splendiferous gal, praise her up to the skies; call her an angel; say she is a whole horse team, and horse to spare, and all that. The moment the critter sees her he is a little grain disappointed, and says: "Well, she's handsome, that's a fact; but not so very, very everlastin', after all!" Then he criticises her. Her foot is too thick in the instep, her elbow-bone is sharp, she rouges, is affected, and so on; and the more you oppose him the more he abuses her, till he swears she ain't handsome at all. Say nothing to him, and he is spoony over head and ears in a minute. He sees all beauties and no defects, and is for walking into her affections at oncest. Nothin' damages a gal or a preacher like overpraise. A hoss is one of the onliest things in natur' that is helpet by it.'

CATCHING LARKS.

IN SEVEN CHAPTERS.-CHAPTER IV.

ON Sunday morning, Madge went down early, and finding the old butler in the dining-room, instantly entered on the subject nearest her thoughts.

'Joseph,' she said, 'I think a new fastening ought to be put on that window in the room next mine.' Joseph did not answer immediately, and there was something odd in his manner, which sent a thrill of suspicion through Madge's mind.

Fastening, miss! Ain't there a fastening? Well, I'll see about it, but I don't know as it matters much.'

'I certainly think you had better see about it,' said Madge with emphasis. 'It is not at all safe.'

"I hope you won't be alarmed, miss,' said Joseph more politely. My mistress has lived here for many years, with more valuables in the house than any one outside it has a notion of, and we've never been troubled with burglars yet.'

Madge would have added something more, but she heard Miss Thorney's Sunday silk rustling down-stairs, and so held her peace, feeling, however, more uncomfortable than before. If Joseph was not

to be trusted, what would become of them! and she knew very well that no suspicions of hers would be listened to by her cousin.

While they were sitting at their stiff breakfast in the gloomy dining-room at Monk's Dene, Robin was despatching his coffee and eggs in one of the odd old rooms of his uncle's house. It was a very funny and delightful old house, he thought, though he did not mean to live there. It stood near the church, at one corner of a large open square, with the market-cross in the middle, which formed the centre of the little town. There was a pair of tall iron gates, flanked by stone pillars and balls; then came a little paved court, and then the house itself, old red brick, with pilasters and ornaments. It had a large square hall, with a fire-place, a great many rooms panelled in white, of which the boards creaked dangerously, and a wide shallow-stepped staircase, with heavy carved oak banisters. It had been a stately house once, but was all falling to ruin now from long neglect; the rats, as Robin told his friend, had had it all their own way for fifty years. Yet Robin's uncle, and now Robin himself, owned nearly the whole of Abbot's Dene, besides a great deal of land in the country round. The old man, who had lived there with one old woman to keep house for him, was as great an oddity as Miss Thorney, and a still greater miser. But though he starved himself, and let his house fall to pieces, he was not a bad landlord, and the little town had thriven under his shaky rule.

Robin had been very busy all the week with his uncle's lawyer, inspecting the property, and planning all kinds of improvements. Mr Wilkins and his wife, who had four grown-up daughters, were very anxious that the young heir should make their house his headquarters for the present; but he chose to trust himself to old Nancy's care, and live in the old tumble-down mansion, so that Mrs Wilkins had to content herself with sending in everything nice she could think of, and getting him to dine with them as often as possible.

'Does old Miss Thorney of Monk's Dene ever come to church, Nancy?' said Robin to the old woman, as she cleared away his breakfast.

'Law bless you, yes! Every Sunday of her life.' 'Isn't it a long walk for her? Or perhaps she has a carriage?'

'No, sir. She gets a fly every Sunday from the Swan. She's got a niece or summut with her now: she'd one before as ran away.'

'A niece!' repeated Robin.

'No; that one warn't a niece, as I knows on. No relation, but she just came to be a companion, like. She didn't stand it above six weeks, and then she was gone. They thought she'd throwed herself into the water, and they dragged the stream; but she wasn't there, bless you. She'd run away.'

What became of her?' said Robin, rather absently.

'Oh, she got married. The young man came to fetch her from Lon'on, they said. Miss Thorney hasn't had one since, till this here.'

Robin took his hat and went out into the sweet shady old garden with its high red walls. What an abominable shame! What were her relations doing, to send her to be miserable with Miss Thorney! They must be an odious set of people, utterly unworthy of her! Would she be made wretched, and driven to something desperate? By Jove! I'll know the reason why!' said Robin to

himself quite furiously, as he marched up and down the walk.

When the bells began to chime, he went out into the avenue of young limes which led up to the church door, and dawdled up and down there till nearly every one was gone in. The Wilkins family very naturally thought he was waiting for them, and were surprised when he turned back from the door, after walking with them up the avenue. When he saw a fly appear at the furthest corner of the square, he walked out as far as his own gate, and turning back, was just approaching the churchyard entrance, when the fly drew up. Old Joseph descended from the box, and opened the door. Madge got out first, and turned to help her cousin, not seeing Robin till Miss Thorney was safe on the ground, shaking out her silk skirts.

'What a frightful old woman!' thought Robin. And she looks quite pale and unhappy. Will she see me, I wonder?'

Madge looked round, and a sudden light sprang into her face. Robin returned her bow and smile, and then walked quickly on towards the church door, followed by Miss Thorney and her companion, and by two or three working-boys in their Sunday smartness. 'Look! that's him. That's old Hyde's nephew,' they whispered among themselves.

Mr Wilkins had a large family pew, of which he opened the door, with hospitable intent, as soon as he saw Robin come into church; but the young man did not see this movement, and turned into one of the free seats near the door.

'What a situation for the lord of the manor !' remarked Mrs Wilkins afterwards to her daughters. He left the church as soon as service was over, going out among all the poor people, and walked off straight home, shutting his gate sharply behind him, but turning round to watch the fly driving up, and the two ladies getting into it. All through the service, Madge had kept her head persistently bent over her Prayer-book, being determined that her cousin should not accuse her of looking about in church. Robin had caught her eye once, and she had given him such a strange look-he could not make it out-half entreaty, half warning, it seemed to be: the fact was, that she could not help recognising him as the only friend she had in this neighbourhood, and yet did not dare to ask for his help in her present trouble.

In the afternoon, Robin was walking up and down the garden, unable to make up his mind what he should do next. He had quite decided that he was in love with his pretty fellow-traveller; of course; he had been thinking about her all the week; but how was he to make acquaintance with her, or manage that old dragon of an aunt, who was almost sure to have the doors shut upon him if he ventured to call? While he was racking his brains for an excuse, old Nancy came trotting down the path to meet him.

'Here's a lad wants to speak to ye.'

'Mr Wilkins's boy, with a note to ask me to dinner,' opined Robin; and then to himself: 'Hang them all! I shan't go.'

'It's no boy of Wilkins's,' said Nancy. His don't look near so sharp, though he is a lawyer.' 'Well, send him out to me here, Nancy.' A smart-looking lad of about fifteen came hurrying down, looking flushed and eager.

Mr Hyde, please, sir, do you know Miss Thorney?' 'No,' said Robin.

'My word, whatever shall I do!' exclaimed the boy, his face falling sadly. 'Why, I saw you with my own eyes bowing to her.'

To Miss Margaret Thorney-the young lady.What's the matter?'

"That 'll do; I'll tell you, sir. My name's Jem Riddell. I can't go to the house, 'cause I don't know how to get speech of the young lady; and the servants would take precious care I didn't see the old un. So I thought I'd best come to you, for you'd know what to do; and the house 'll be robbed to-night if we don't take care.'

"What! Miss Thorney's house? How do you know?' said Robin sharply.

"I was down gathering honeysuckles in Tinker's Croft, and I heard 'em talking in the little arbour in Phil Wright's garden, just t' other side of the hedge. There was old Joseph, and Phil, and another man I didn't know, but them I'd swear to anywhere. They fixed it for twelve o'clock precisely, 'cause the moon'll be down; they're going in by the tree against the window where the plate-chest is; and they're going to fasten the young lady's door on the outside; and old Joseph said he'd give his missus summut to sleep on, so as they might take what was in her room; and then they 're going to do the rest o' the house: there's thousands o' pounds' worth to be had in that house, they said. I couldn't think of nothing better than to come to you.'

'You were quite right,' said Robin. Keep it quiet, and we'll catch them in the act. Come along with me to the police-station; the back-way, so that we mayn't be seen.'

An hour later, they were back again in Mr Hyde's dining-room.

Have a glass of wine, Jem,' said Robin. Now, remember, you and the policemen are to meet me at Miss Thorney's gate at nine o'clock punctually.' 'I'll be there, sir,' said Jem Riddell.

'Very well. Here's something for your sharp

ness.

'Never was a sovereign so easily earned,' thought Jem, as he left the house.

CHAPTER V.

Madge had spent most of Sunday afternoon in reading theology to her cousin ; and when she went out into the garden as usual, after dinner, it was with a weary and puzzled brain, and a sense of deep depression. All the while she turned over the yellow pages, reading mechanically on and on, she was planning half unconsciously to herself what she should do if she heard any noise in that room in the night. That unfastened window was like a nightmare it shadowed all her thoughts, and lay like a weight upon her brain. She wandered dreamily across the lawn, and down to the banks of the stream, pushing her way in among the trees and shrubs, and pausing to look into the dark water, which flowed so slowly and steadily through the deep shade. Suddenly, as she stood there, she heard a little rustle among the bushes on the further bank. She started violently, but stood still, thinking it might be only an animal. But the rustle became louder, and Robin appeared, pushing his way to the water's edge.

Miss Thorney is that you?' he said in a low

voice.

Madge wondered how he knew her name, and

what brought him there; resolving at the same moment to be very good, and send him away at

once.

'Yes,' she answered. 'Oh, you mustn't come here, please. My cousin would not like it.'

'But I must,' said Robin. 'I want particularly to speak to you. If you 'll wait for me, I'll cross in the boat which is just above here. It concerns your aunt as much as yourself.'

'Very well; I'll wait, only make haste,' said Madge, terribly afraid she was doing wrong, but with a sort of notion that she ought not to drive away any chance of help and protection.

The boat was hidden under the overhanging brushwood, a few yards farther up. Robin pushed it out, and punted himself across so quickly and silently, that Madge found him standing in it close to her before she had made up her mind what to say or do.

'It is taking a liberty, I know,' said Robin, looking up at her with his frank pleasant face, and shaking back his hair. But, without wishing to frighten you, I must tell you at once that your aunt's property is in danger.'

'I know! I thought so; that window,' exclaimed Madge, clasping her hands in anxiety. What is to be done? Can you help me?'

'Will you tell me,' said Robin gravely, 'why you thought so, and what you mean by "that window?"" 'The window in the room next mine, where the plate-chest is. I went in last night and found the fastening gone, and any one could get in so easily from the tree close to it. I went directly to tell my cousin, but she was angry, and laughed at me for being afraid.'

'Wise!' muttered Robin. 'Oh, I thought the old lady was your aunt. And did you say anything to the servants?'

'I spoke to the butler this morning, but he told me not to be alarmed; he would see to it. I ought not to say so, perhaps, but I did not quite like his manner, and have felt more afraid ever since.'

Madge hardly realised yet that her confidence in Robin had suddenly removed the load of depression and anxiety which had been weighing upon her all day.

'He said he would see to it, did he? And that was all?'

'Yes; that was all.'

'Well, don't be alarmed, because the danger is past, and you are perfectly safe now. But, listen to what I heard this afternoon from a lad called Riddell, who has his wits about him.'

Madge listened intently to Robin's story. 'How wicked! how dreadful!' she exclaimed. 'Poor Cousin Sarah! That old man has been with her for years, and she has always been kind to him, I'm sure. Can he have meant to give her poison?'

'Not poison, I hope; not so bad as that. Something to make her sleep. Now, I want to settle our plans for to-night. My idea is that your cousin should not know anything of the business till it is finished; she might hinder us from catching that old rascal Joseph, who seems to me the worst of the lot. The policemen are to meet me at the gate at nine o'clock. Jem tells me that your hall-door stands open till quite late in this weather. Can you manage to slip out of the drawing-room soon after nine, take me and one of the policemen upstairs, and hide us either in that room or near it, while the other two go and hide in the garden near

Robin spoke with animation; he was quite ready to enjoy the adventure. Madge did not answer instantly, for she was thinking; but in a minute she looked steadily at him and spoke.

'I hope you won't think me a coward; it is not because I'm afraid that I don't like your plan. But I see several reasons against it. How is my cousin to be prevented from taking that dreadful sleepingdraught, which may even be poison, if she knows nothing of the danger? She always has warm wineand-water before she goes to bed.'

'Can't you manage to break the glass and spill it, and then make her some more yourself?' 'I don't think I can,' said Madge smiling. And I believe she will be very angry if all this goes on in her house without her knowing it. She may be odd-tempered, but I'm sure she is no coward, and I think she would do anything that was right, and not even hinder you from catching old Joseph. I don't think it would be right of me to admit any one into the house without her knowledge. In fact, I can't consent to do it.'

'You don't trust me, I believe,' said Robin, after a pause of astonishment. What are we to do, then?'

'Yes, I do trust you,' answered Madge. 'I wish you would come with me now to Miss Thorney, and lay the whole thing clearly before her. It is eight o'clock. I must go in to make tea for her. Come with me, and stay outside the window till Joseph is gone; then I'll call you in.'

'I will,' said Robin, springing out of the boat. They left the stream, and walked across the lawn together, taking care to keep in the shade of the

trees.

I beg your pardon,' said Madge softly, but I think I ought to know your name.'

'Of course you ought. I'm Robert Hyde. I live in that old house near the church; it used to belong to my uncle.'

"Thank you,' said Madge; and going quickly on, she turned in at the drawing-room window, while Robin sat down under a piece of blank wall, and thought what a melancholy place it was, and how pretty and charming she looked in that soft muslin dress-an old crumpled thing with many darns; but he only saw the general effect.

Old Joseph's feelings would not have been enviable, had he known what made the young lady's hand tremble as she took the tea out of the silver canister, which was to disappear with the other valuables before to-morrow morning; or how much difficulty she had in saying 'Thank you' to him in her natural voice, when there was water enough in the teapot. He went away, however, unsuspecting; and Miss Thorney woke up and stretched herself, yawning violently two or three times.

What's the matter with you, my dear?' she said, in a kinder voice than usual. You're as white as your gown.'

'Nothing, thank you,' said Madge. Cousin Sarah, there is a gentleman outside who wants to speak to you on most particular business."

And before Miss Thorney could recover from the shock sufficiently to find words, Madge was at the window: Mr Hyde' and Robin was in the room.

'What's your name, sir, and what do you want?' said Miss Thorney, looking from one to the other in enraged suspicion.

'Let me introduce myself as Robert Hyde. You probably knew my uncle.'

'What are you the young man that has succeeded to everything?'-Robin bowed.-"Then what can you want here?'

'I came to tell you, Miss Thorney, that a gang of burglars intend to break into your house to-night. Don't be alarmed, please. It's all right. I've told the police.'

Miss Thorney, who had been standing upright, dropped into her chair with a gasp, which alarmed Robin. 'Can I get you anything?' said Madge anxiously. 'Don't be a fool, child.-Well, go on. What are the police going to do?'

"They wish if possible to catch the fellows in the act. The thieves mean to climb a tree, and get in at a window of which the fastening has been removed.'

'You were not so wrong, after all, child,' said Miss Thorney, nodding at Madge.

'If you have no objection,' Robin went on, one of the policemen shall be hidden in that room, while the others watch below. But the most painful part of the business is yet to come: I am sorry to say that your old butler is an accomplice.'

Miss Thorney's pale old cheek grew a little paler. 'And please, Cousin Sarah,' exclaimed Madge, don't drink the wine-and-water he brings you tonight. He means to put something in it to make you sleep more heavily than usual.'

'After all

'Old villain!' said Miss Thorney. I've done for him! Well, let justice take its course. Mr Hyde, I am obliged to you. I don't know why you should take any trouble to preserve my property. However, settle the business your own way. But how did you find out all this?'

Robin told his story, and answered the old lady's sharp questions.

Very well,' she said, when she had heard all. 'Now you had better go, and we will have our tea. Bring the policeman to this window when he comes, and Margaret will shew you the way upstairs.'

'That old lady's not such a bad one, after all,' thought Robin, as he stepped out into the twilight. When Joseph came for the tea-tray, his mistress was sitting with her face turned away from the light, and Margaret was reading at the table.

Shall I shut the windows, ma'am?' said Joseph. 'No; leave them.'

'What time shall I bring the wine-and-water, if you please, ma'am?'-in a voice even more woolly than usual.

'At half-past ten. Bring the decanter and some warm water, and an extra tumbler. Miss Margaret may like some, and will mix it for herself.'

Very well, ma'am,' said Joseph, and away he went with his tea-tray.

"I thought I should have choked,' said Miss Thorney. 'Good gracious! it's a wicked world. How long have you known that young man, Margaret?'

'We travelled together last Monday nearly all

the way from home. That is all I know of him,' said Madge.

Madge was very far from being in a musical frame, but she obeyed, and Miss Thorney took no notice of the numerous wrong notes. It was after ten when she called to her to stop.

'As you please,' answered the old lady.—' Now, Margaret, lead the way up-stairs.'

What will happen if we meet any of the servants?' said Madge.

'We shall keep them quiet,' said Robin, glancing at the policeman, a tall, strong, silent fellow, who looked as if he was equal to any number of burglars. Madge opened the drawing-room door very softly, and stole along the dim hall, up the stairs, and along the passages, followed by her two companions, who trod as noiselessly as herself.

"That is my cousin's room,' she whispered to Robin, as they passed the foot of Miss Thorney's steps; then a little further on: 'This is mine; and this is the room you are to hide in.'

The moon, which would be down before twelve, was shining in through the tree at the dangerous window, and the floor was all checkered with light and shadow.

'Which is the plate-chest?' said Robin. "This? Then we can't do better than put ourselves just behind it in this old wardrobe.'

'Oh, take care!' exclaimed Madge, as he turned the rusty key.

'Never fear. Joseph is eating his supper in peace. Rather stuffy, but I suppose this is the best place to the policeman.

'Yes, sir. The young lady had better take the key.'

Ah! it wouldn't suit us to be locked in. That's it. We'll leave the door ajar till the time draws near. Good-night.'

The policeman had already dived into the wardrobe, among Miss Thorney's old gowns and those of her mother-a musty atmosphere. Madge put her hand for the first time into Robin's, and it flashed across her that there might be danger in what he was doing; the thieves might have revolvers too.

'Do take care of yourself,' she said in a bling whisper. 'Must you really stay here?' Why, what a bad opinion Miss Thorney would have of me if I turned back at the last moment.' 'I don't know that her opinion matters.' 'It matters very much to me just now, I assure you. However, don't frighten yourself; it's all right. There are two policemen and Jem Riddell in the garden; and if five men can't manage three, they must be very poor fellows. Good-night.'

'Yes,' said Madge. 'Very well. There's Joseph with the tray; he's come a little before the time, that his nice draught may have time to work.'

Madge shuddered, and her cousin's features relaxed into a grim smile. Old Joseph came stumping in, and set down the tray, with his mistress's tumbler ready mixed as usual.

Thank you, Joseph,' said Miss Thorney. 'Leave the tray, and come again in ten minutes to shut the windows and take it away.'

The old man went away silently.

'Now, then,' said Miss Thorney, when she had heard the door into the back hall swing to behind him; 'throw away the contents of that precious tumbler on the grass. No! I'll find out what the old wretch meant to do to me. Get that glass vase; empty it into that; lock it up in the chiffonier, and give me the key. Very nicely done. Now mix me some wine-and-water in that other tumbler, and fill the wine-glass for yourself.'

'I would rather not, thank you,' began Madge. 'Do as I tell you,' answered Miss Thorney; and she was accordingly obeyed.

Joseph came in again, shut the windows, and took up the tray with the empty glasses, looking as stolid as an old elephant.

'Send Lawrence with my candle at once,' said Miss Thorney.-'I wonder what makes me feel so sleepy, Margaret!'

Yes, ma'am,' said Joseph.

Madge looked at the old lady in silent astonishment at her sharpness and coolness, and thought she was like a gnome or a troll, or some of those cunning Northland spirits, there was something so uncanny in the twinkle of her little gray eyes. Sleepy! she had never been wider awake in her life.

He disappeared into the depths of the wardrobe, and Madge stole away down-stairs again as quickly as she could. What could he mean by caring for her cousin's opinion?

You have some sacred music, child?' said Miss Thorney, as soon as she was back in the drawingroom. Go and play a little, to quiet our minds."

6