ing
candor and goodness; the character of her countenance resembled "the
Queen of the May," in Mr. Leslie's famous picture, more than any face of
our day I can call to mind.

"You are not angry with me for this silly trick?" said she, with some
misgiving. "After all I am only two hours before my time; you know,
dearest, I said four in my letter--did I not?"

Vane stammered. What could he say?

"And you have had three days to prepare you, for I wrote, like a good
wife, to ask leave before starting; but he never so much as answered my
letter, madam." (This she addressed to Mrs. Woffington, who smiled by
main force.)

"Why," stammered Vane, "could you doubt? I--I--"

"No! Silence was consent, was it not? But I beg your pardon, ladies
and gentlemen, I hope you will forgive me. It is six months since I saw
him--so you understand--I warrant me you did not look for me so soon,
ladies?"

"Some of us did not look for you at all, madam," said Mrs. Woffington.

"What, Ernest did not tell you he expected me?"

"No! He told us this banquet was in honor of a lady's first visit to his
house, but none of us imagined that lady to be his wife."

Vane began to writhe under that terrible tongue, whose point hitherto
had ever been turned away from him.

"He intended to steal a march on us," said Pomander, dryly; "and, with
your help, we steal one on him;" and he smiled maliciously on Mrs.
Woffington.

"But, madam," said Mr. Quin, "the moment you did arrive, I kept sacred
for you a bit of the fat; for which, I am sure, you must be ready. Pass
her plate!"

"Not at present, Mr. Quin," said Mr. Vane, hastily. "She is about to
retire and change her traveling-dress."

"Yes, dear; but, you forget, I am a stranger to your friends. Will you
not introduce me to them first?"

"No, no!" cried Vane, in trepidation. "It is not usual to introduce in
the _beau monde."_

"We always introduce ourselves," rejoined Mrs. Woffington. She rose
slowly, with her eye on Vane. He cast a look of abject entreaty on her;
but there was no pity in that curling lip and awful eye. He closed his
own eyes and waited for the blow. Sir Charles threw himself back in his
chair, and, chuckling, prepared for the explosion. Mrs. Woffington saw
him, and cast on him a look of ineffable scorn; and then she held the
whole company fluttering a long while. At length: "The Honorable Mrs.
Quickly, madam," said she, indicating Mrs. Clive.

This turn took them all by sur