to make
himself agreeable, he devoted his attentions to Mrs.
Middleton, who seemed amused and interested by his
conversation; and I was obliged to admit that he was clever,
in spite of my antipathy to him.

It is unpleasant to meet in society a man, who we have secret
reasons to know would be shunned by all those who value truth
and honour, if certain facts were revealed, and the veil drawn
aside which hides from the world his real character and
conduct. And when those we love and respect speak of their
regard for such a person, and call him their friend, it is
difficult to repress the accusing words which tremble on our
lips. Such thoughts passed through my mind as I sat at dinner
that day watching Mr. Escourt, while he poured into Mrs.
Middleton's ear his amusing anecdotes, and saw her look of
interest as she listened to him. I felt it yet more when,
after dinner, I heard my uncle invite him in the most cordial
manner to Elmsley; and above all, when Edward addressed him as
"My dear fellow," I gave a start of impatience which must have
seemed unaccountable to Edward, who looked at me with
unaffected surprise.

After dinner we all sat on the stone terrace before the house;
and while I strove in vain to shake off the gloom which
gathered over my spirits more darkly every hour, I could not
disguise from myself that Rosa had never looked more
lovely--had never appeared to greater advantage. Whether with
perfect gravity and a genuine brogue she related, at Edward's
request, the wonderful history of Daniel O'Rourke, who held on
to the moon by its horns; or whether, on some remark of Mr.
Escourt's on the subject to which all her feelings were alive,
in a few words of rapid and fervent eloquence, she spoke of
the sufferings and the wrongs of Ireland, of its injured
honour, its misrepresented creed: whether with the joyousness
of a child she showed off the tricks of her little dog by the
side of the garden lake, or, stepping into the boat which was
made expressly for her use, she seized her oars and rowed us
across like the Lady of Loch Katrine: in each movement there
was grace; in each mischievous glance there was playfulness;
in each word there was animation; and Edward laughed gaily, or
listened with interest, while even Mr. Middleton seemed
excited and amused.

When we returned into the house, Mr. Manby asked Rosa to sing;
and as we all pressed her to do so, she sat down at the
pianoforte, and sang in succession En