A NOVEL. IN THREE VOLUMES. EDITED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE SCOTTISH HEIRESS;" VOL. I. LONDON: T. C. NEWBY, 72, MORTIMER STREET. 804. PREFACE. I THINK it necessary to state the cause of my having become sponsor for the following novel. When the first two volumes were perused by me, I admired them exceedingly, and warmly encouraged a continuance of the work. It was speedily completed, and on being sent for publication, it was intimated that if the novel came out under the hands of some one whose works were already known at the circulating libraries, it might conduce to its more immediate success. I have not scrupled to take that duty on me; first, because I sincerely admire the book, and secondly, because I conceive that I have a perfect right to |