At any rate, he turned
round again, and sought the refreshment-room, where he joined a
knot of young gentlemen indulging in delicate little raised pies
and salads, and liberal potations at iced claret or champagne
cup. Amongst them was the guardsman who had introduced him to
Mary, and who received him, as he came up, with--

"Well, St. Cloud, I hope you are alive to your obligations to
me."

"For shunting your late partner on to me? Yes, quite."

"You be hanged!" replied the guardsman; "you may pretend what you
please now, but you wouldn't let me alone till I had introduced
you."

"Are you talking about the girl in white muslin with fern leaves
in her hair?" asked another.

"Yes what do you think of her?"

"Devilish taking, I think. I say, can't you introduce me? They
say she has tin."

"I can't say I think much of her looks," said St. Cloud, acting
up to his principle of telling a lie sooner than let his real
thoughts be seen.

"Don't you?" said the guardsman. "Well, I like her form better
than anything out this year. Such a clean stepper! You should
just dance with her."

And so they went on criticizing Mary and others of their
partners, exactly as they would have talked of a stud of racers,
till they found themselves sufficiently refreshed to encounter
new labors, and broke up returning in twos and threes towards the
ball-room.

St. Cloud attached himself to the guardsman, and returned to the
charge.

"You seem hit by that girl," he began; "have you known her long?"

"About a week--I met her once before to-night."

"Do you know her people? Who is her father?"

"A plain-headed old party--you wouldn't think it to look at
her--but I hear he is very solvent."

"Any sons?"

"Don't know. I like your talking of my being hit, St. Cloud.
There she is; I shall go and try for another waltz."

The guardsman was successful, and carried off Mary from her
father and mother, who were standing together watching the
dancing. St. Cloud, after looking them well over, sought out the
hostess, and begged to be introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Porter,
gleaning, at the same time, some particulars of who they were.
The introduction was effected in a minute, the lady of the house
being glad to get anyone to talk to the Porters, who were almost
strangers amongst her other guests. She managed, before leaving
them, to whisper to Mrs. Porter that he was a young man of
excellent connexions.

St. Cloud made the most of his ti