am as it was in his nature to be
anxious for any one--when a Juno entered the room. She did not swim
in, or fly in, or glide in, but walked in, as women should walk if
they properly understood their parts. She walked in as though she
were mistress of her own soul, and afraid to meet no pair of eyes
which any human being could bend upon her. He had intended in his
good-nature to patronise her; but that other question instantly
occurred to him--would she patronise him? Bertram he had known
long and intimately, and held him therefore somewhat cheap in many
respects, as we are all accustomed to hold our dearest friends. But
now, at once he rose in his estimation a hundred per cent. What might
not be expected of a man whom such a woman would acknowledge that she
loved?

A Juno had entered the room; for her beauty, as we have said before,
was that rather of the queen of the gods. George immediately
acknowledged to himself that he had never before seen her look so
grandly beautiful. Her charms have been related, and that relation
shall not be repeated; but when first seen by Harcourt, their power
was more thoroughly acknowledged by him, much more thoroughly than
they had been by her lover when he had first met her. Then, however,
she had been sitting at dinner between her aunt and Mr. M'Gabbery,
quite unconscious that any one was arriving whose existence could be
of importance to her.

There was no time for conversation then. The surprise arising from
her entrance had, on Harcourt's part, hardly subsided, when the
servant announced dinner, and he was called on to give his arm to
Miss Baker.

"I hope you approve your friend's choice," said that lady, smiling.

"Miss Waddington is certainly the most lovely girl I ever beheld,"
replied he, with enthusiasm.

The Rev. Mr. Meek handed down Miss Penelope Gauntlet, and Bertram
followed with the two girls, happy and high-spirited. He first
tendered his arm to Adela, who positively refused it; then to
Caroline, who was equally determined. Then, putting a hand behind the
waist of each of them, he pushed them through the door before him.
There are certainly some privileges which an accepted lover may take
in a house, and no one but an accepted lover.

George took his seat at the bottom of the table, as though he were
quite at home; and Harcourt, happy sinner! found himself seated
between Adela and Caroline. He was not good enough for such bliss.
But had his virtues been ever so s