will
preserve my friends. Now let this subject never be mentioned or alluded
to again between us, my dear. We have subjects enough of conversation;
we need not have recourse to pernicious sentimental gossipings. There is
a great difference between wanting a CONFIDANTE, and treating a friend
with confidence. My confidence you possess; all that ought, all that is
to be known of my mind, you know, and--Now I will leave you in peace to
dress for the concert.'

'Oh, don't go! you don't interrupt me. I shall be dressed in a few
minutes; stay with me, and you may be assured, that neither now, nor at
any other time, shall I ever speak to you on the subject you desire me
to avoid. I entirely agree with you about CONFIDANTES and sentimental
gossipings. I love you for not loving them.'

A thundering knock at the door announced the arrival of company.

'Think no more of love, but as much as you please of friendship--dress
yourself as fast as you can,' said Miss Broadhurst. 'Dress, dress is the
order of the day.'

Order of the day and order of the night, and all for people I don't care
for in the least,' said Grace. 'So life passes!'

'Dear me, Miss Nugent,' cried Petito, Lady Clonbrony's woman, coming in
with a face of alarm, 'not dressed yet! My lady is gone down, and
Mrs. Broadhurst and my Lady Pococke's come, and the Honourable Mrs.
Trembleham; and signor, the Italian singing gentleman, has been
walking up and down the apartments there by himself, disconsolate, this
half-hour, and I wondering all the time nobody rang for me--but my lady
dressed, Lord knows how! without anybody. Oh, merciful! Miss Nugent,
if you could stand still for one single particle of a second. So then I
thought of stepping in to Miss Nugent; for the young ladies are talking
so fast, says I to myself, at the door, they will never know how time
goes, unless I give 'em a hint. But now my lady is below, there's no
need, to be sure, to be nervous, so we may take the thing quietly,
without being in a flustrum. Dear ladies, is not this now a very sudden
motion of our young lord's for Ireland?--Lud a mercy! Miss Nugent, I'm
sure your motions is sudden enough; and your dress behind is all,
I'm sure, I can't tell how.'--'Oh, never mind,' said the young lady,
escaping from her; 'it will do very well, thank you, Petito.'

'It will do very well, never mind,' repeated Petito muttering to
herself, as she looked after the ladies, whilst they ran downstairs. 'I
can'