ily accepted, but held it, as I
remarked, in a manner better calculated to defend the widow than
himself.

When we reached West Craigs Inn, the second stage from Edinburgh, the
rain had ceased; and the young gentleman, politely returning me my
umbrella, began to relieve the widow of his now dripping cloak, which he
shook over the side of the coach, and afterwards hung on the rail to
dry. Then turning to the widow, he inquired if she would take any
refreshment; and upon her answering in the negative, he proceeded to
enter into conversation with her, as follows:--

'Do you travel far on this road, ma'am?'

'About sixteen miles farther, sir. I leave the coach six miles on the
other side of Airdrie.'

'Do your friends dwell thereabouts?'

'Yes, sir, they do. Indeed, I am on the way home to my father's house.'

'In affliction, I fear?'

'Yes, sir,' said the poor young woman, raising her handkerchief to her
eyes, and sobbing audibly; 'I am returning to him a disconsolate widow,
after a short absence of two years.'

'Is your father in good circumstances?'

'He will never suffer me or my baby to want, sir, while he has strength
to labour for us; but he is himself in poverty, a day-labourer on the
estate of the Earl of Hyndford.'

At the mention of that nobleman's name, the young gentleman coloured a
little, but it was evident that his emotion was not of an unpleasant
nature. 'What is your father's name?' said he.

'James Anderson, sir.'

'And his residence?'

'Blinkbonny.'

'Well, I trust that, though desolate as far as this world is concerned,
you know something of Him who is the Father of the fatherless and the
Judge of the widow. If so, your Maker is your husband, and the Lord of
Hosts is His name.'

'Oh, yes, sir; I bless God that, through a pious parent's care, I know
something of the power of divine grace and the consolations of the
gospel. My husband, too, though but a tradesman, was a man who feared
God above many.'

'The remembrance of that must tend much to alleviate your sorrow.'

'It does indeed, sir, at times; but at other times I am ready to sink.
My father's poverty and advancing age, my baby's helplessness, and my
own delicate health, are frequently too much for my feeble faith.'

'Trust in God, and He will provide for you; be assured He will.'

By this time the coach was again in motion, and though the conversation
continued for some time, the noise of the wheels prevented me from
hear