CHAPTER XXIX.
It was the copy of our conference.
In bed she slept not, for my urging it; At board she fed not, for my urging it; Alone, it was the subject of my theme; In company I often glanced at it.
Comedy of Errors.
THE next morning saw Bucklaw and his faithful Achates, Craigengelt, at Ravenswood Castle.

They were most courteously received by the knight and his lady, as well, as by their son and heir, Colonel Ashton.

After a good deal of stammering and blushing--for Bucklaw, notwithstanding his audacity in other matters, had all the sheepish bashfulness common to those who have lived little in respectable society--he contrived at length to explain his wish to be admitted to a conference with Miss Ashton upon the subject of their approaching union.

Sir William and his son looked at Lady Ashton, who replied with the greatest composure, "That Lucy would wait upon Mr.Hayston directly.

I hope," she added with a smile, "that as Lucy is very young, and has been lately trepanned into an engagement of which she is now heartily ashamed, our dear Bucklaw will excuse her wish that I should be present at their interview ?" "In truth, my dear lady," said Bucklaw, "it is the very thing that I would have desired on my own account; for I have been so little accustomed to what is called gallantry, that I shall certainly fall into some cursed mistake unless I have the advantage of your ladyship as an interpreter." It was thus that Bucklaw, in the perturbation of his embarrassment upon this critical occasion, forgot the just apprehensions he had entertained of Lady Ashton's overbearing ascendency over her daughter's mind, and lost an opportunity of ascertaining, by his own investigation, the real state of Lucy's feelings.
The other gentlemen left the room, and in a short time Lady Ashton, followed by her daughter, entered the apartment.