PERSONS INTRODUCED. MRS. ABERLEY. EDWARD. ANNA. GERTRUDE. MR. LORNTON. MR. ASHTON. MR. ROSS, Clergyman of the Parish. ALLAN CAMERON, an old Soldier. PEOPLE. THE DECISION. PART II. An Apartment in Arnavoir Castle. EVENING. (Mrs. ABERLEY, EDWARD, ANNA, and GERTRUDE. EDWARD seated between Mrs. ABERLEY and GERTRUDE, a hand of each in his ; ANNA seated on a footstool at her mother's feet. Edw. How delightful it is to feel myself with you all again! You have really tried my patience by your delays. You gave me reason to hope I should see you in a fortnight after I left London, and it is now more than two months. Mrs. ABER. We too, Edward, have longed much to be with you; but you know we found it impossible to get away. First, we had business with Mr. Lornton, that must be transacted before you came of age,-then the illness and death of your poor aunt Ashton, made it a positive duty for us to remain in London; but we have all learned much, Edward, during these two last months. EDW. (Pressing his mother's hand to his heart.) Much, indeed! Mrs. ABER. And the season has advanced, so that we now find Arnavoir in its greatest beauty. How magnificent the view from that window is ! GER. I cannot for a moment withdraw my eyes from it. How glorious the sunset must be amidst yon mountains that bound the lake! EDW. Most glorious, indeed! But in the mean time I must entreat you, dear Gertrude, to bestow your attention on a humbler object. I cannot spare it yet, even to my favourite view. But if you will indulge me for another half-hour, I then promise you the most glorious view of sunset you have ever witnessed. Do you see that clump of trees? (pointing from the window.) The view from thence is still finer than from these windows. That is my favourite retreat. There my beloved instructor, Mr. Ross, has spent many an |