a look of pride about
her now that made her lovely to my eyes. As I continued to gaze after
her, I did not perceive for some time that the guests were rapidly
taking their leave, and already the rooms were greatly thinned. Every
moment now, however, bore evidence of the fact: the unceasing roll of
carriages to the door, the clank of the steps, the reiterated cry to
drive on, followed by the call for the next carriage, all betokened
departure. Now and then, too, some cloaked and hooded figure would
appear at the door of the drawing-room, peering anxiously about for
a daughter, a sister, or a friend who still lingered in the dance,
averring it 'was impossible to go, that she was engaged for another
set.' The disconsolate gestures, the impatient menaces of the shawled
spectres--for, in truth, they seemed like creatures of another world
come back to look upon the life they left--are of no avail: the
seductions of the 'major' are stronger than the frowns of mamma, and
though a rowing may come in the morning, she is resolved to have a reel
at night.

An increased noise and tumult below-stairs at the same moment informed
me that the supper-party were at length about to separate. I started
up at once, wishing to see Miss Bellew again ere I took my leave, when
O'Grady seized me by the arm and hurried me away.

'Come along, Hinton! Not a moment to lose; the duke is going.'

'Wait an instant,' said I, 'I wish to speak to----'

'Another time, my dear fellow; another time. The duke is delighted with
the Rooneys, and we are going to have Paul knighted!'

With these words he dragged me along, dashing down the stairs like a
madman. As we reached the door of the dining-room we found his grace,
who, with one hand on Lord Dudley's shoulder, was endeavouring to steady
himself by the other.

'I say, O'Grady, is that you? Very powerful Burgundy this---- It 's not
possible it can be morning!'

'Yes, your grace--half-past seven o'clock.'

'Indeed, upon my word, your friends are very charming people. What did
you say about knighting some one? Oh, I remember: Mr. Rooney, wasn't it?
Of course, nothing could be better!'

'Come, Hinton, have you got a sword?' said O'Grady; 'I 've mislaid mine
somehow. There, that 'll do. Let us try and find Paul now.'

Into the supper-room we rushed; but what a change was there! The
brilliant tables, resplendent with gold plate, candelabras, and flowers,
were now despoiled and dismantled. On the floor,