ncledon, but she made no comment.

Mrs. Pelby Smith entered the brilliant rooms of Mrs. Goldsborough that
night with an elated spirit, seeing in herself the future hostess of
the fashionable throng there assembled. Instead of standing in a
corner, listening with unctuous deference or sympathy to any who
chanced to come against her, as was her wont, proffering her fan, or
her essence-bottle, or in some quiet way ministering to their egotism,
she now stepped freely forth upon the field of action, nodding and
smiling at the young men to whom she might have been at some time
introduced; whispering and jesting with some marked young lady, while
she made an occasion to arrange her _berthe_ or her ringlets, and
adding herself, as if by accident, to any trio or quartette of
pre-eminent distinction. She had at length the anxiously desired
opportunity to put out her feelers at Mrs. Goldsborough.

"What a lovely creature Julia has become, Mrs. Goldsborough!" she
exclaimed; "it seems but a few months since she was a little fairy
only _so_ high, and now she is so well grown and so commanding in her
figure! and her manners, they are as pronounced and _distingue_ as if
she were twenty-five; they appear the more remarkable for her sweet,
youthful face. I have been watching her the whole evening, and seeing
every one offering her their tribute, I have gotten quite into the
spirit of it myself. I'm sure you will smile at me, for you well know
that I am not at all in the habit of such things, but I really must
give her a party. I have known her so long, almost since she could
first run about, and I always loved the little creature so much! I
feel as if I have almost a right to be proud of her myself. Have you
any engagements for the beginning of next week? If not, unless you
positively forbid it, I shall send out invitations at once."

"You are very kind, indeed, Mrs. Smith," said Mrs. Goldsborough,
smiling cordially, for she was a fond mother, and also was full of
courtesy and amiability; "it will be an unexpected compliment to
Julia. She will be flattered that your partiality for her is as warm
as ever. We have no engagements for the first of next week. The
parties with which my friends will try to spoil Julia do not come on
so soon."

Her scheme having been not unfavorably received, Mrs. Smith whispered
it to one and another, until it was known to half the company before
they dispersed that Miss Goldsborough was to be _feted_ next