ess's summons. Upon this
Lady Mabel bid William go, as he would not be wanted.

"I have not a doubt, Colonel L'Isle, that you prefer a Hebe to a
Ganymede."

"Infinitely," said L'Isle; "and I only wonder how great Jove himself
could differ with me."

"Then let Jenny refill your glass, that you may drink the health of
the Portuguese ladies, to whom you said so many witty and pleasant
things this evening."

"I only translated them," said L'Isle, bowing gaily to her.

"May I be ever blessed with such an interpreter," said Lady Mabel,
"and I may, without fear, set up for a wit." And she repeated some of
the best things he had said in her name, and seemed to enjoy them so
much, that L'Isle, who, like some other people, had

"A _heart_
Open as day to melting _flattery_,"

became almost as much charmed with himself as he was with his
companion. Thus they amused themselves, recalling the little incidents
of the evening; Lady Mabel turning satirist, at the cost of all her
friends, not sparing even Mrs. Shortridge, in her attempts to play the
Rome hostess, and ridiculing, without mercy, the commissary's awkward
efforts at Portuguese eloquence and politeness. Then recalling and
laughing at the extravagant compliments paid her after each song, she
sung snatches of several of her favorite pieces, but had the grace not
to allude to 'Constant my Heart;' while L'Isle longed for an occasion,
yet hesitated to tell her how much better he liked it than all the
others. In the midst of her extravagantly high spirits, checking
herself suddenly, she said: "I see that you are surprised at me, but
not more than I am at myself. Have you ever heard of our Scottish
superstition of being _fie_--that is, possessed by a preternatural
excess of vivacity? No? It is deemed the sure forerunner of evil at
hand,--a sudden and violent death; some dire misfortune; perhaps a sad
and final parting of--of the dearest friends. I own," she added, with
a deep sigh, "I cannot free myself from this superstition of the
country."

"I will not share it with you!" L'Isle exclaimed. "And you must shake
it off. What were life without hope, and high hope too!" and seizing
her hand he kissed it respectfully but with a fervor which indicated
the direction his hopes had taken.

"For shame, Colonel L'Isle!" she exclaimed, laughing, while she
snatched her hand away. "See how much shocked Jenny is at this liberty
taken with her mistress!"

L