stood near the door-way of the ball-room, and he ran on,
exchanging constant nods and remarks with the passers by, as the
stream flowed to and from the ices and cup, and then rattling on
to his partner with the names and short sketches of the
characters and peculiarities of his large acquaintance. Mary was
very much amused, and had no time to notice the ill-nature of
most of his remarks, and he had the wit to keep within what he
considered the most innocent bounds.

"There, you know him of course," he said, as an elderly,
soldier-like looking man with a star passed them.

"Yes; at least, I mean I know him by sight. I saw him at the
Commemoration at Oxford last year. They gave him an honorary
degree on his return from India."

"At Oxford! Were you present at the Grand Commemoration, then?"

"Yes. The Commemoration Ball was the first public ball I was ever
at."

"Ah! that explains it all. I must have seen you there. I told you
we had met before. I was perfectly sure of it."

"What! were you there, then?"

"Yes. I had the honor of being present at your first ball, you
see."

"But how curious that you should remember me!"

"Do you really think so? Surely there are some faces which, once
seen, one can never forget."

"I am so glad that you know dear Oxford."

"I know it too well, perhaps, to share your enthusiasm."

"How do you mean?"

"I spent nearly three years there."

"What, were you at Oxford last year?"

"Yes. I left before Commemoration; but I went up for the
gaieties, and I am glad of it, as I shall have one pleasant
memory of the place now."

"Oh, I wonder you don't love it! But what college were you of?"

"Why, you talk like a graduate. I was of St. Ambrose."

"St. Ambrose! That is my college!"

"Indeed! I wish we had been in residence at the same time."

"I mean that we almost lived there at the Commemoration."

"Have you any relation there, then?"

"No, not a relation, only a distant connexion."

"May I ask his name?"

"Brown. Did you know him?"

"Yes. We were not in the same set. He was a boating man, I
think?"

She felt that he was watching her narrowly now, and had great
difficulty in keeping herself reasonably composed. As it was she
could not help showing a little that she felt embarrassed, and
looked down; and changed colour slightly, busying herself with
her bouquet. She longed to continue the conversation, but somehow
the manner of her partner kept her from doing so. S