had fastened her apron, at a modern length of waist, were all now lost by such perpetual motion; and the binding of her apron, now slipped down to her hips, completed the wildness of her appearance.

Hooted at and ridiculed by almost every one, Mrs. Goodwin and Biddy proceeded up the hill, our heroine slowly following in the chaise. Biddy still talking to her mistress, her brogue was so glaring, that a number of witticisms were passed upon her: one fellow remarked, that though she had left home in such a hurry as to forget her hat and gloves, she had not left a brogue behind; another accosted her with-"Arrah, Paddy! which way does the bull run?"

"Faith, sir, out of your mouth this time!" Biddy quietly replied; "for Paddy is a

man's name."

At length, a fellow with a Fitzroy-cockade, who had been making potent libations to Fitzroy's success at the shrine of Bacchus, overtaking poor Biddy, demanded, if she was come from Botany Bay to vote for 'squire Rackrent? (the pink-ribband candidate.) Biddy quickly answered, yes, and bade him beware; for the tender which had brought her from thence was waiting for a

freight to carry back. The inebriated ruffian, fancying that a terrible insult which was merely a retort, was instantly inflamed to uncontrolled rage; and calling her some scurrilous names, snatched at her pink topknot, and tore it from her head. Poor Biddy screamed; and Mrs. Goodwin, though dreadfully alarmed, mildly, and with tears in her eyes, entreated the ruffian to recollect himself; but in vain; and the savage was aiming a serious blow at Biddy, when his arm was arrested by Fitzroy, who had just come up in time to see the fellow assault a woman, and instantly leaped from the sociable to defend her.

"Ruffian! desist!" exclaimed Fitzroy.

"I'll be d-n'd if I wull!" returned the savage, renewing his aim; when Fitzroy instantly tripping up his, heels, laid him sprawling in the dust.

"D-n you!" roared out the exasperated coward, "I am a freeholder, and you have lost my vote by this pretty business—ay, and a plumper too!"

"I sincerely rejoice at it," returned Fitzroy, with animation; "for I should blush to owe my election to a scoundrel, who could for a moment forget he was a man,

and insult and assault that sex which it is the pride and glory of every true-hearted Englishman to defend."

This short speech was received with the most rapturous acclamations; and a sturdy, saturnine-looking elderly man, without any distinguishing mark of party about him, who in a carter's frock was composedly smoking his pipe, an attentive observer, now accosted Fitzroy." Ne'er do yaw moind the loss of his'n plumper; for yaw ha gotten moine by this here business, and moy hap a hundred votes to boot. My name is John Russet, and not a freeholder in the county can command more votes than I. I was duberous who to vote for, thinking as how yaw would all alike promise us great things to gain yaur ends; but that there cowardly scoundrel has proved yaw be fit to represent a free people, when yaw scorn to cringe to a rascally coward for a vote, and dare do yaur duty tho'f yaw lose a plumper by it."

Fitzroy and Russet now cordially shook hands, amid shouts of applause; and Fitzroy then taking Mrs. Goodwin and Biddy under his protection, led them to the chaise.

Julia, who had been a most alarmed

spectator of the affray, had earnestly entreated the postboy to let her out, that she might go to her friends.

"No, Miss," replied the man, "I shall not let you out; you be safer where you be."

"Oh, that I do know!" said Julia; "but to get them into the carriage is why for I want to go, sir.”

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Ay, well," he answered, " but I shall take care of you, and keep you out of harm's way. I am glad, however, they have got a real fright, to teach them to stay where there is protection for them and do stay quiet, Miss, and don't you fret and fidget. You would do no good by going to them, for that there pretty innocent face would only make folk gaze the more; and men who have been drinking might say things which, by the looks on you, you would not like to hear, I be very certain,"

Julia, now blushing at this young clown's rough compliments, drew back into the carriage; but not before she had excited the attention and fixed admiration of two gentlemen who had remained in Fitzroy's carriage; and now remarking their observation of her, she turned her head to look out of

the opposite window, to avoid their earnest gaze, by which means she lost the recognition of Fitzroy, when he handed Mrs. Goodwin into the chaise, which now soon whirled them to doctor Hargrave's. Mrs. Goodwin faithfully recounted, by the way, the gallant conduct of Fitzroy, and Julia, in return, informed her that this was the identical Mr. Fitzroy who had rescued her from the merciless quizzers at Delamore House; which, in addition to the service he had now rendered to the distressed party, made them all unanimous in his praise; and Biddy declared, had she a thousand votes, and ten thousand at the back of them, she would give them all to Mr. Fitzroy, and her blessing to boot.

CHAPTER VI.

THE rectory was an excellent mansion, situated in a very pretty paddock: the gardens, and grounds belonging to it, were extensive, well stored and laid out; and the farmyard was plentifully stocked, as well