hat the great philosopher whom he followed had won
public prizes at the Olympic games. He consequently frisked about in
the dance with an awkwardness and a disregard of the graces of motion,
which, especially in the jigs, convulsed the whole assembly, nor did
any one among them laugh more loudly than he did himself. He especially
addressed himself too, and danced with, Mrs. Rosebud, who, as she was
short, fat, and plump, exhibited as ludicrous a contrast with the almost
naked anatomical structure which frisked before her as the imagination
could conceive.

"Upon my credit," observed the Mar, "I see that extremes may meet. Look
at the philosopher, how he trebles and capers it before the widow. Faith,
I should not feel surprised if he made Mrs. Pythagoras of her before
long."

This, however, was not the worst of it, for what or who but the devil
himself should tempt the parson, with his gout strong upon him, to
select Miss Rosebud for a dance, whilst the philosophic rheumatist was
frisking it as well as he could with her mother? The room was in an
uproar. Miss Rosebud, who possessed much wicked humor, having, as the
lady always has, the privilege, called for one of the liveliest tunes
then known. The parson's attempt to keep time made the uproar still
greater; but at length it ceased, for neither the philosopher nor the
parson could hold out any longer, and each retired in a state of torture
to his seat. The mirth having now subsided, a gentleman entered the
room, admirably dressed, on whom the attention of the whole company
was turned, He was tall, elegantly formed, and at a first glance was
handsome. The expression of his eyes, however, was striking--startling.
It was good--brilliant; it was bad and strange, and, to those who
examined it closely, such as they had never witnessed before. Still he
was evidently a gentleman: there could be no mistake about that. His
manner, his dress, and his whole bearing, made them all feel that he was
entitled to respect and courtesy. Little did they imagine that he was a
murderer, and that he entered the room under the gratifying impression
of his having killed Alice Goodwin. It was Harry Woodward. The evening
was now advanced, but, after his introduction to the company, he joined
in their amusements, and had the pleasure of dancing with both Mrs.
Rosebud and her daughter; and after having concluded his dance with the
latter, some tidings reached the room, which struck the whole compa