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THE ALIENATED MANOR.

entirely to the mansion, as a grand, unbroken whole. A hundred sturdy Highlanders, with wheelbarrows and mattocks, made it, in a short time, a very handsome, smooth, gradual slope, that would not have disgraced the finest park in Middlesex. This piece of service I did for him.

CRAFTON.

And had you done as much for me, Sir Level, I should have acquitted you from all further trouble.

SIR LEVEL.

Ay; you are a reasonable man, Mr. Crafton. Why, what could I have done better for such an obstinate place?

CRAFTON.

Nothing that I know of, unless——

SIR LEVEL.

Unless what? Pray let me have your idea. Successful as I have generally been, I hope I still bear my faculties too meekly not to be willing to profit by a friendly hint from a person of discernment.—Unless what, my dear Sir?

GRAFTON.

Unless you had let it alone altogether.

SIR LEVEL.

O no, no, no! that was impossible. The Laird had a lady,—a young bride, too;—she was new, the house was new, the furniture was new,