ensions to beauty, became actually interesting from the
excitement which prevailed. Their eyes lit by the active spirit of
rivalry within them, sparkled with peculiar brilliancy, their cheeks
became flushed or got pale as they felt themselves elevated or depressed
by the prospect or loss of victory. Nor were there wanting on this
occasion some vivid glances that were burthened, as they passed aslant,
their fair faces, with pithier feelings than those that originated from
a simple desire of victory. If truth must be told, baleful flashes,
unmeasured both in number and expression, were exchanged in a spirit
of true defiance between the interested and contending parties, as the
close of the contest approached. At length, by the proclamation of the
reelers, the great body of the competitors were thrown out, and they
consequently gave up the contest. It was now six o'clock, and the
first sound of seven o'clock by Captain Millar's bell was to close the
proceedings, and enable the reelers to proclaim the victor. Only four
names now remained to battle it out to the last; to wit, a country
farmer's daughter, named Betty Aikins, Dora M'Mahon, Hanna Cavanagh, and
a servant-girl belonging to another neighbor, named Peggy Bailly. This
ruck, as they say on the turf, was pretty well up together, but all
the rest nowhere. And now, to continue the metaphor, as is the case
at Goodwood or the Curragh, the whole interest was centered upon these
four. At the commencement of the last hour the state of the case was
proclaimed as follows: Betty Aikins, three dozen and eight cuts; Dora
M'Mahon, three dozen and seven cuts; Hanna Cavanagh, three dozen and
five cuts; and Peggy Bailly, three dozen and four cuts. Every individual
had now her own party anxious for her success, and amidst this hour of
interest how many hearts beat with all hopes and fears that are incident
even to the most circumscribed contest of human life. Opposite Dora
stood the youth whom we have already noticed, James Cavanagh, whose
salvation seemed but a very trifling thing when compared or put into
opposition with her success. Be this as it may, the moment was a most
exciting one even to those who felt no other interest than that which
naturally arises from human competition. And it was unquestionably
a beautiful thing to witness this particular contest between, four
youthful and industrious young women. Dora's otherwise pale and placid
features were now mantling, and her beaut