f
Mr. Theodosius Butler could induce her to leave the corner of the back
drawing-room in which she was seated.

'Now, Theodosius,' said Miss Maria Crumpton, after that enlightened
pamphleteer had nearly run the gauntlet of the whole company, 'I must
introduce you to our new pupil.'

Theodosius looked as if he cared for nothing earthly.

'She's the daughter of a member of parliament,' said Maria.--Theodosius
started.

'And her name is--?' he inquired.

'Miss Brook Dingwall.'

'Great Heaven!' poetically exclaimed Theodosius, in a low tone.

Miss Crumpton commenced the introduction in due form. Miss Brook
Dingwall languidly raised her head.

'Edward!' she exclaimed, with a half-shriek, on seeing the well-known
nankeen legs.

Fortunately, as Miss Maria Crumpton possessed no remarkable share of
penetration, and as it was one of the diplomatic arrangements that no
attention was to be paid to Miss Lavinia's incoherent exclamations, she
was perfectly unconscious of the mutual agitation of the parties; and
therefore, seeing that the offer of his hand for the next quadrille was
accepted, she left him by the side of Miss Brook Dingwall.

'Oh, Edward!' exclaimed that most romantic of all romantic young ladies,
as the light of science seated himself beside her, 'Oh, Edward, is it
you?'

Mr. Theodosius assured the dear creature, in the most impassioned manner,
that he was not conscious of being anybody but himself.

'Then why--why--this disguise? Oh! Edward M'Neville Walter, what have I
not suffered on your account?'

'Lavinia, hear me,' replied the hero, in his most poetic strain. 'Do not
condemn me unheard. If anything that emanates from the soul of such a
wretch as I, can occupy a place in your recollection--if any being, so
vile, deserve your notice--you may remember that I once published a
pamphlet (and paid for its publication) entitled "Considerations on the
Policy of Removing the Duty on Bees'-wax."'

'I do--I do!' sobbed Lavinia.

'That,' continued the lover, 'was a subject to which your father was
devoted heart and soul.'

'He was--he was!' reiterated the sentimentalist.

'I knew it,' continued Theodosius, tragically; 'I knew it--I forwarded
him a copy. He wished to know me. Could I disclose my real name?
Never! No, I assumed that name which you have so often pronounced in
tones of endearment. As M'Neville Walter, I devoted myself to the
stirring cause; as M'Neville Walter I gained your heart