s noticed. I have hardly asked a
person--I don't know one--who is not in some way distinguished for
either dress, manner, air, or beauty. I have taken pains to cull the
most choice of my acquaintance. The rooms will be beautifully
lighted--and I expect it to be a brilliant affair."

"If it were not for that Miss Dawson to spoil all," said Emma,
dejectedly--for she had never liked the scheme, though she did not
oppose it. "I declare, Laura, I wonder at your moral courage in having
her. I don't think _I_ could introduce her among such a set, even to
be sure of breaking it off. You will be terribly ashamed of her. You
don't know, I think, what you have undertaken."

Mrs. Castleton could not but laugh at the earnestness, not to say
solemnity, of Emma's manner.

"Not I, Emma--why should I be ashamed of her. If she were Harry's
wife, or if even he were engaged to her, the case would be
different--I should blush for her then, if she is vulgar. But merely
as a guest, how can her dress or manners affect _me_. My position is
not to be altered by my happening to visit a girl who dresses vilely,
and flirts _a discretion_."

But still Emma looked very dubious, and only said, "Well, don't
introduce me."

"Don't be alarmed," replied her sister. "I don't mean to. Come, come,
Emma," she continued, laughing, "I see you are nervous about it, but I
think you may trust me for carrying it off well," to which her sister
replied,

"Well, Laura, if any one _can_ get out of such a scrape gracefully,
you will."

Mrs. Castleton laughed, and the subject dropped.

What Emma had said was true. There was an airy grace, a high-bred ease
about Mrs. Castlelon, that could carry her through any thing she chose
to undertake.

Thursday evening arrived at last. Mrs. Castleton's rooms were lighted
to perfection, and she herself dressed with exquisite taste, looking
the fitting priestess of the elegant shrine over which she presided.
Emma, with her brothers, came early--and one glance satisfied Mrs.
Castleton. The simplicity and elegance of Emma's _toilette_ were not
to be out-done even by her own. Tom looked at them both with great
pride; and, certainly, two prettier or more elegant specimens of
humanity are not often to be met with.

He made some playful observation to his sister, expressive of his
admiration of her taste, and looking about, said,

"Your rooms are very well lighted. There's nothing like wax, after
all."

"They are too hot,"