but then
Clarence Ensign was plain, which Bertram certainly was not.

It was to Mr. Ensign's face however that Paula's eyes turned as the two
came up, and he with the ready vivacity of his natural temperament
observed it, and took courage.

"I shall soon wish to measure that loop-hole of which I have spoken,"
said he.

And the soft look in her large dark eye as she responded, "It is always
open to friends," filled up the measure of his cup of happiness; a cup
which unlike hers, had not been darkened that day by the falling of
earth's most dismal shadows.

XVIII.

IN THE NIGHT WATCHES.

"Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn?"

--HEN. IV.

"What doth gravity out of his bed at midnight?"

--HEN. IV.

"It has been the most delightful evening I have ever passed," said Mrs.
Sylvester, as she threw aside her rich white mantle in her ample
boudoir. "Sarah, two loops on that dolman to-morrow; do you hear? I
thought my arms would freeze. Such an elegant gentleman as the Count de
Frassac is! He absolutely went wild over you, Paula, but not
understanding a word of English--O there, if that horrid little wretch
didn't drop his spoon on my dress after all! He swore it never touched a
thread of it, but just look at that spot, right in the middle of a
pleating too. Paula, your opinion in regard to the lavendar was correct.
I heard Mrs. Forsyth Jones whisper behind my back that lavendar always
made blondes look _fade_. Of course I needed no further evidence to
convince me that I had entirely succeeded in eclipsing her pale-faced
daughter. Her daughter!" and the lazy gurgle echoed softly through the
room, "As if every white-haired girl in the city considered herself
entitled to be called a blonde!" She stopped to listen, examining
herself in the glass near by. "I thought I heard Edward. It was very
provoking in him to leave us in the cavalier manner in which he did. I
was just going to introduce him to the count, not that he would have
esteemed it much of an honor, Edward I mean, but when one has a
good-looking husband--Sarah, that curtain over there hangs crooked, pull
it straight this instant. Did you try the oysters, Paula? They were
perfection, I shall have to dismiss Lorenzo without ceremony and procure
me a cook that can make an oyster fricassee. By the way did you
notice--" and so on and on for five minutes additional. Presently she
burst forth with--"I do believe I know what it is to