eans addicted to
preparing his compliments beforehand, had just been conning a delicate
speech for Lucy; but no sooner did the person of her partner flash on
him than the whole flattery vanished at once from his recollection.
He felt himself grow pale; and when Lucy turned, and seeing him near,
addressed him in the anxious and soft tone which she thought due to her
uncle's friend on his recovery, Mauleverer bowed, confused and silent;
and that green-eyed passion, which would have convulsed the mind of
a true lover, altering a little the course of its fury, effectually
disturbed the manner of the courtier.

Retreating to an obscure part of the room, where he could see all
without being conspicuous, Mauleverer now employed himself in watching
the motions and looks of the young pair. He was naturally a penetrating
and quick observer, and in this instance jealousy sharpened his
talents; he saw enough to convince him that Lucy was already attached to
Clifford; and being, by that conviction, fully persuaded that Lucy was
necessary to his own happiness, he resolved to lose not a moment in
banishing Captain Clifford from her presence, or at least in instituting
such inquiries into that gentleman's relatives, rank, and respectability
as would, he hoped, render such banishment a necessary consequence of
the research.

Fraught with this determination, Mauleverer repaired at once to the
retreat of the squire, and engaging him in conversation, bluntly asked
him who the deuce Miss Brandon was dancing with.

The squire, a little piqued at this brusquerie, replied by a long
eulogium on Paul; and Mauleverer, after hearing it throughout with the
blandest smile imaginable, told the squire, very politely, that he was
sure Mr. Brandon's good-nature had misled him. "Clifford!" said he,
repeating the name,--"Clifford! It is one of those names which are
particularly selected by persons nobody knows,--first, because the name
is good, and secondly, because it is common. My long and dear friendship
with your brother makes me feel peculiarly anxious on any point relative
to his niece; and, indeed, my dear William, overrating, perhaps, my
knowledge of the world and my influence in society, but not my affection
for him, besought me to assume the liberty of esteeming myself a friend,
nay, even a relation of yours and Miss Brandon's; so that I trust you do
not consider my caution impertinent."

The flattered squire assured him that he was particul