d engaging form, fond of dress and full of vivacity with
no mean conception of her own wit or captivating powers, her attire
was elegant and shewy, almost approaching to the gaudy, rather than the
selection of refined Taste and Judgment.

Miss Amelia was about 19 with features calculated to make conquest
certain where the attack was not made on hearts of stone, the simple
modesty of her wardrobe seemed rather to indicate the thoughtful and
contemplative mind, rich in its own resources, and requiring no foil to
render conspicuous its real value, her auburn locks parted in the front,
discovered a fine well arched forehead, from under which darted
glances from her beautiful dark eyes, that when purposely directed for
observation, spoke volumes to the heart. Unadorned by the feathers
which waved in majestic splendor over the temples of her sister as
she threaded through the mazy windings of the dance, she attracted
the attention of the company in a much greater degree than the
dress-delighted Caroline. Her figure was neither well nor ill formed,
but the open and animated expression of her countenance, together with
the graces of her mind, would in the opinion of all judicious thinkers,
have been considered as a compensation for the absence of beautiful
form. Her whole appearance however, was not only pleasing, it was
prepossessing, while her manners and conversation were captivating. Bob
gazed and admired, listened and was charmed.

The Hon. Tom Dashall was at the same time fully occupied in his
attentions to the other sister, but could not occasionally help a sly
glance at Bob, indicative of the pleasure he derived from seeing his
cousin thus engaged.

The Quadrille being over, "Come," said Col. Maitland, "we must go and
have a peep at the Card Tables, and enquire how the cash moves, for you
know if your aunt is losing her money, she will be as cross as the----"

"Silence Charles," said his sister, "remember you have no occasion to
make such observations here, why you might almost as well entertain us
with a pedigree of the family, as expose the tempers and dispositions
of your relations; besides I am sure the party alluded to would feel
herself very much offended to hear such conversation in a Ball room.
It is neither a fit time or place;"--and with ~152~~ this, each of
his sisters seizing an arm, led him towards the Card Room, alternately
schooling him as they passed along, and leaving our Heroes to draw their
own co