rician in mind.

I joined the maternal party, and Lady Frances soon took an opportunity
of whispering, "You are looking very well, and very handsome; I declare
you are not unlike me, especially about the eyes. I have just heard that
Miss Glanville will be a great heiress, for poor Sir Reginald
cannot live much longer. She is here to-night; pray do not lose the
opportunity."

My cheek burnt like fire at this speech, and my mother, quietly
observing that I had a beautiful colour, and ought therefore immediately
to find out Miss Glanville, lest it should vanish by the least delay,
turned from me to speak of a public breakfast about shortly to be
given. I passed into the dancing-room; there I found Vincent; he was in
unusually good spirits.

"Well," said he, with a sneer, "you have not taken your seat yet. I
suppose Lord Dawton's representative, whose place you are to supply, is
like Theseus, sedet eternumque sedebit. A thousand pities you can't
come in before next week; we shall then have fiery motions in the Lower
House, as the astrologers say."

I smiled. "Ah, mon cher!" said I, "Sparta hath many a worthier son than
me! Meanwhile, how get on the noble Lords Lesborough and Lincoln? 'sure
such a pair were never seen, so justly formed to meet by nature!'"

"Pooh!" said Vincent, coarsely, "they shall get on well enough, before
you get in. Look to yourself, and remember that 'Caesar plays the
ingrate.'"

Vincent turned away; my eyes were rivetted on the ground; the beautiful
Lady--passed by me; "What, you in a reverie?" said she, laughing; "our
very host will turn thoughtful next!"

"Nay," said I, "in your absence would you have me glad? However, if
Moore's mythology be true--Beauty loves Folly the better for borrowing
something from Reason; but, come, this is a place not for the grave, but
the giddy. Let us join the waltzers."

"I am engaged."

"I know it! do you think I would dance with any woman who was not
engaged?--there would be no triumph to one's vanity in that case.
Allons, ma belle, you must prefer me to an engagement;" and so saying, I
led off my prize.

Her intended partner was Mr. V--; just as we had joined the dancers, he
spied us out, and approached with his long, serious, respectful face;
the music struck up, and the next moment poor V. was very nearly struck
down. Fraught with the most political spite, I whirled up against him;
apologized with my blandest smile, and left him wiping his mouth, and