re here," said Matilda
confusedly.

"Mr. Belmont introduced us. We only arrived from Oxford yesterday, and
Ellen, being very anxious that Mr. Belmont should see you, proposed our
coming hither."

A little relieved from observing that Edmund still did not join them, under
whose eye she felt that she should have shrunk, Matilda ventured to look at
Mr. Belmont, recollecting that she had frequently heard him mentioned as
the friend of both the brothers, during their residence at Oxford, and that
he had been the visitant of the family the preceding winter, when she was
on an excursion to Bath; she knew that he was highly esteemed by the
family, and, aware in what a favourable point of view their affection for
her would lead them to represent her, the idea that her first introduction
had taken place at a moment which, of all others, she most regretted, was
really insupportable to her.

Lady Araminta endeavoured, by her praise, to remove the chagrin which her
ingenuous countenance (ever the faithful harbinger of her thoughts)
betrayed so plainly--"I assure you, my dear," said she, "that for some
time you performed very prettily; didn't you think so, Mr. Harewood?"

"Pardon me, my lady, from differing with you--I have seen a country actress
do it much better: indeed I said so at the moment--Belmont knows I did; and
my brother observed that----"

At this moment the country-dance was recommenced, and Matilda was hurried
away, although her solicitude to hear what Edmund said amounted to misery;
but as Charles was addressing Lady Araminta, not her, it was impossible to
ask; besides, no small portion of anger at Edmund mingled with her
anxiety--he had never yet approached her. She knew indeed that his ideas of
feminine decorum were rigid; but still he had no right to resent her
conduct, or he might have told her as a friend, as he used to do, wherein
she erred. As these thoughts struck upon her mind, he passed her in the
dance, and made her a profound bow of recognition; she watched to the
bottom, and perceived him engaged in earnest conversation with a very
lovely young person, whom she remembered as one of those who refused to
waltz; again her heart smote her, yet her anger was the most predominant
emotion, and she felt as if Edmund Harewood had injured her beyond
forgiveness.

The waltzing recommenced, but the very name of it was now hateful to
Matilda, and she hastily entreated Lady Araminta to order her carriage.
Charles