ut Gertrude short, and bid her "finish
my hair," and hasten my dressing, for Aunt Deborah don't take long,
and we shall be late for the ball. At the mention of the word "ball,"
off goes Gertrude again.

"What a grand ball it'll be, miss, as all her ladyship's is; and I
know there'll be no young lady there as will be better dressed than my
young lady, nor better looking neither; and I'm sure, to see you and
Master John stand up together, as you did last Christmas when we was
all at Dangerfield! and I says to the steward, 'Mr. Musty,' says I, 'a
handsomer couple than them two I never clapped eyes on. Master John,
he looks so fresh, and so healthy and portly, as becomes a gentleman.'
And he says, 'No doubt,' says he; 'and Miss Kate, she steps away like
a real good one, with her merry eyes and her trim waist, as blooming,'
says he, 'as a beanfield, and as saucy as----'"

"There, that will do, Gertrude; now my pocket-handkerchief and some
scent, and my gloves and my fan. Good-night, Gertrude."

"Good-night, miss; I do humbly hope you'll enjoy your ball."

Enjoy my ball, indeed! How little does the girl know what I enjoy, and
what I don't enjoy! Lady Horsingham will be as stiff as the poker, and
about as communicative. Cousin Amelia will look at everything I've got
on, and say the most disagreeable things she can think of, because she
never can forgive me for being born two years later than herself. I
shall know very few people, and those I do know I shall not like. I
shall have a headache before I have been half an hour in the room. If
I dance I shall be hot, and if I don't dance I shall be bored. Enjoy
my ball, indeed! I'd much rather be going hay-making.

Up went the steps, bang went the door, and ere long we were safely
consigned to the "string" of carriages bound for the same destination
as ourselves. After much "cutting-in," and shaving of wheels, and
lashing of coach-horses, with not a little blasphemy, "Miss
Horsingham" and "Miss Coventry" were announced in a stentorian voice,
and we were struggling in a mass of silks and satins, blonde and
broadcloth, up the swarming staircase. Everything happened exactly as
I had predicted; Lady Horsingham accosted Aunt Deborah with the most
affectionate cordiality, and lent me two fingers of her left hand, to
be returned without delay. Cousin Amelia looked me well over from head
to foot, and asked after my own health and Brilliant's with a
supercilious smile. How that girl hat