r, the earl turned him over
to the countess, as having become the property of the womankind; and was
soon immersed in his aspirations for the odd trick.

Whilst Maltravers was conversing with Lady Latimer, he happened to
raise his eyes, and saw opposite to him a young lady of such
remarkable beauty, that he could scarcely refrain from an admiring
exclamation.--"And who," he asked, recovering himself, "is that lady?
It is strange that even I, who go so little into the world, should be
compelled to inquire the name of one whose beauty must already have made
her celebrated."

"Oh, Lady Florence Lascelles--she came out last year. She is, indeed,
most brilliant, yet more so in mind and accomplishments than face. I
must be allowed to introduce you."

At this offer, a strange shyness, and as it were reluctant distrust,
seized Maltravers--a kind of presentiment of danger and evil. He drew
back, and would have made some excuse, but Lady Latimer did not heed his
embarrassment, and was already by the side of Lady Florence Lascelles. A
moment more, and beckoning to Maltravers, the countess presented him to
the lady. As he bowed and seated himself beside his new acquaintance, he
could not but observe that her cheeks were suffused with the most lively
blushes, and that she received him with a confusion not common even in
ladies just brought out, and just introduced to "a lion." He was rather
puzzled than flattered by these tokens of an embarrassment, somewhat
akin to his own; and the first few sentences of their conversation
passed off with a certain awkwardness and reserve. At this moment, to
the surprise, perhaps to the relief, of Ernest, they were joined by
Lumley Ferrers.

"Ah, Lady Florence, I kiss your hands--I am charmed to find you
acquainted with my friend Maltravers."

"And Mr. Ferrers, what makes him so late to-night?" asked the fair
Florence, with a sudden ease, which rather startled Maltravers.

"A dull dinner, _voila tout_--I have no other excuse." And Ferrers,
sliding into a vacant chair on the other side of Lady Florence,
conversed volubly and unceasingly, as if seeking to monopolise her
attention.

Ernest had not been so much captivated with the manner of Florence as he
had been struck with her beauty, and now, seeing her apparently engaged
with another, he rose and quietly moved away. He was soon one of a knot
of men who were conversing on the absorbing topics of the day; and as
by degrees the exciting subj