never
caught a fish that we saw. Through the medium of a gossip of Nelly, who
was kitchen-maid at the principal inn, we ascertained that our new
acquaintance was staying there for his health's benefit, and for the
purpose of angling; that his name was Erminstoun, only son of the rich
Mr. Erminstoun, banker, of T----. Nelly's gossip had a sister who lived
at Erminstoun Hall, so there was no doubt about the correctness of the
information, both as regarded Mr. Thomas Erminstoun's identity, and the
enormous wealth of which it was said his father was possessed. The
informant added, that poor Mr. Thomas was a _leetle_ soft maybe, but the
idol of his parent; and that he squandered "money like nothing," "being
a generous, open-handed, good young gentleman."

I observed a great change in Gabrielle's manner, after hearing this,
toward her admirer--for so he must be termed--as admiration was so
evident in each word and look: by-and-by Gabrielle went out alone--there
was no one to question or rebuke her; and in six weeks from the day that
Mr. Thomas Erminstoun first saw her she became his wife. Yes, startling
as it appears, it all seemed very natural and simple of accomplishment
then; early one brilliant summer morning, Gabrielle woke me, and bade me
rise directly, as she wished to confide something of great importance,
which was about to take place in a few hours. Pale, but composed, she
proceeded to array herself and me in plain white robes, and straw
bonnets; new and purely white, yet perfectly simple and inexpensive,
though far better than the habiliments we had been accustomed to wear.
Gabrielle took them from a box, which must have come when I was
sleeping; and when our toilet was completed, I compared her in my own
mind to one of those young maidens whom I had seen in the church, when
bands of fair creatures were assembled for confirmation. She looked not
like _a bride_--there was no blushing, no trembling; but a calm
self-possession, and determination of purpose, which awed me.

"My wise little sister Ruth," she said, "I am going to be married this
morning to Mr. Thomas Erminstoun, at ---- church. You are my bridemaid,
and the clerk gives me away. I shall not come back here any more, for a
chaise and four waits in Yarrow Wood to convey us away directly after
our marriage. You will come home, darling, and take off your marriage
apparel to appear before _him_; and as I do not often dine with him, and
he never asks for me, I