ludicrous gravity
of tone.

'Well, at least we have profited by it, and so we may wait in patience.
Your friend Colonel O'Grady will give us the pleasure of his company at
dinner, I hope,' continued my mother, with her most winning smile.

O'Grady declined, having already accepted the invitation of the
Adjutant-General, but begged he might be permitted to join our party at
the ball--which being graciously acceded to by my mother, we both made
our bows, and sauntered out to see more of the sights of Paris.

'Come, Phil,' said I, when we were once more alone, 'what is the secret?
Who is Madame de Roni?'

'Not even to you, Jack,' was his answer, and we walked on in silence.

CHAPTER LVIII THE RONI FETE

There is no epidemic more catching than excitement. The fussy manner
and feverish bustle of the people about you are sure, after a time, to
communicate themselves to you--the very irritation they create being
what the physicians call a predisposing cause. I became an illustration
in point, as the hour of this ball drew nigh. At first I could not but
wonder how in the midst of such stupendous events as were then taking
place--in the heart of a city garrisoned by an enemy, with everything
that could wound national pride and offend national honour--even French
levity could raise itself to the enjoyment of fashionable frivolity; but
by degrees the continual recurrence of the subject familiarised my mind
to it" wearing off my first and more natural impressions, and at last I
began, like my neighbours, not only to listen with patience, but even to
join in the various discussions with animation and interest.

No sooner had the report gained currency that Lady Charlotte was in
possession of blank invitations, than our hotel was besieged by half
Paris--the unfortunate endeavouring, by every species of flattery
and every imaginable stratagem, to obtain tickets; the lucky ones all
anxious to find out the mystery of her ladyship's success, which at
first seemed almost incredible. The various surmises, guesses,
hints, allusions, and subterfuges which followed one another in rapid
succession, as this motley mob of fashionables came and went, and went
and came again, amused me considerably--the more so, perhaps, as the
occasion called into full play all my cousin Julia's powers of flippant
raillery and sarcasm, both of which she exercised without scruple, but
never within range of discovery by any of her victims.

Everythi