Many, strange, and inconsistent, were the rumours to which their communications and conjectures gave rise.

Some said Tennant and Co.

were broken, and that all their bills had come back protested--others that they had got a great contract from Government, and letters from the principal merchants at Glasgow, desiring to have shares upon a premium.

One report stated, that Lieutenant Taffril had acknowledged a private marriage with Jenny Caxon--another, that he had sent her a letter upbraiding her with the lowness of her birth and education, and bidding her an eternal adieu.

It was generally rumoured that Sir Arthur Wardour's affairs had fallen into irretrievable confusion, and this report was only doubted by the wise, because it was traced to Mrs.Mailsetter's shop,--a source more famous for the circulation of news than for their accuracy.