thing;--sooner or later something of the same kind will come, I trust, to
all our families." "Ay," replied Miss Mally Glencairn, "marriage is like
death--it's what we are a' to come to."

"I have my doubts of that," said Miss Becky with a sneer. "Ye have been
lang spair't from it, Miss Mally."

"Ye're a spiteful puddock; and if the men hae the e'en and lugs they used
to hae, gude pity him whose lot is cast with thine, Becky Glibbans,"
replied the elderly maiden ornament of the Kirkgate, somewhat tartly.

Here Mr. Snodgrass interposed, and said, he would read to them the letter
which Miss Isabella had received from the bride; and without waiting for
their concurrence, opened and read as follows:--

LETTER XXXI

_Mrs. Sabre to Miss Isabella Tod_

MY DEAREST BELL--Rachel Pringle is no more! My heart flutters as I write
the fatal words. This morning, at nine o'clock precisely, she was
conducted in bridal array to the new church of Mary-le-bone; and there,
with ring and book, sacrificed to the Minotaur, Matrimony, who devours so
many of our bravest youths and fairest maidens.

My mind is too agitated to allow me to describe the scene. The office of
handmaid to the victim, which, in our young simplicity, we had fondly
thought one of us would perform for the other, was gracefully sustained
by Miss Argent.

On returning from church to my father's residence in Baker Street, where
we breakfasted, he declared himself not satisfied with the formalities of
the English ritual, and obliged us to undergo a second ceremony from
himself, according to the wonted forms of the Scottish Church. All the
advantages and pleasures of which, my dear Bell, I hope you will soon
enjoy.

But I have no time to enter into particulars. The captain and his lady,
by themselves, in their own carriage, set off for Brighton in the course
of less than an hour. On Friday they are to be followed by a large party
of their friends and relations; and, after spending a few days in that
emporium of salt-water pleasures, they embark, accompanied with their
beloved brother, Mr. Andrew Pringle, for Paris; where they are afterwards
to be joined by the Argents. It is our intention to remain about a month
in the French capital; whether we shall extend our tour, will depend on
subsequent circumstances: in the meantime, however, you will hear
frequently from me.

My mother, who has a thousand times during