vacant, and then moving towards it
with a backward motion, consisting of a series of curtseys.

Fanny Bruce, who stood near, observing that she had made an exact
calculation how many steps would be required to reach her seat, placed
her hand on the back of the chair, as if to draw it away; and encouraged
by a look and smile from Isabel, moved it, slightly, but still enough to
endanger the old lady's safety.

On attempting to regain it, Miss Pace stumbled, and would have fallen,
but Gertrude--who had been watching Fanny's proceedings--sprang forward
in time to fling an arm around her, and place her safely in the chair,
casting at the same time a reproachful look at Fanny, who, much
confused, turned to avoid Gertrude's gaze, and in doing so accidentally
trod on Mr. Graham's gouty toes, which drew from him an exclamation of
pain.

"Fan," said Mr. Bruce, who had observed the latter accident only, "I
wish you could learn politeness."

"Whom am I to learn it from?" asked Fanny, pertly,--"you?"

Ben looked provoked, but forbore to reply; while Miss Pace, who had
recovered her composure, said--"Politeness! Ah, a lovely but rare
virtue; perceptibly developed, however, in the manners of my friend
Gertrude, which I hesitate not to affirm would well become a princess."

Belle curled her lip, and smiled disdainfully. "Lieutenant Osborne,"
said she, "don't you think Miss Devereux has beautiful manners?"

"Very fine," replied the lieutenant; "the style in which she receives
company, on her reception-day, is elegance itself."

"Who are you speaking of?" inquired Kitty; "Mrs. Harry Noble?"

"Miss Devereux, we were remarking upon," said Belle; "but Mrs. Noble is
also very stylish."

"I think she is," said Mr. Bruce; "do you hear, Fanny?--we have found a
model for you,--you must imitate Mrs. Noble."

"I don't know anything about Mrs. Noble," retorted Fanny; "I'd rather
imitate Miss Flint. Miss Gertrude," said she, "how _shall_ I learn
politeness?"

"Do you remember," asked Gertrude, speaking low, "what your music-master
told you about learning to _play_ with expression? I should give you the
same rule for improvement in politeness."

Fanny blushed deeply. "What is that?" said Mr. Graham; "Fanny, what is
Gertrude's rule for politeness."

"She only said," answered Fanny, "that it was the same my music-master
gave me last winter."

"And what did _he_ say?" inquired her brother.

"I asked Mr. Hermann," said Fanny, "how I