of Littlebath was soon glad to get
about her. Those who give suppers at their card-parties are not long
in Littlebath in making up the complement of their guests. She had
been there now ten days, and had already once or twice mustered a
couple of whist-tables; but this affair was to be on a larger scale.

Miss Baker she had not yet seen, nor Miss Waddington. The ladies had
called on each other, but had missed fire on both occasions; but with
Sir Lionel she had already renewed her intimacy on very affectionate
terms. They had been together for perhaps three days at Jerusalem,
but then three days at Jerusalem are worth a twelvemonth in such a
dull, slow place as London. And Sir Lionel, therefore, and Miss Todd
had nearly rushed into each other's arms; and they both, without any
intentional falsehood, were talking of each other all over Littlebath
as old and confidential friends.

And now for Miss Todd's party. Assist me, my muse. Come down from
heaven, O, Calliope my queen! and aid me to spin with my pen a long
discourse. Hark! do you hear? or does some fond delusion mock me?
I seem to hear, and to be already wandering through those sacred
recesses--the drawing-rooms, namely, at Littlebath--which are
pervious only to the streams and breezes of good society.

Miss Todd stood at her drawing-room door as her guests were ushered
in, not by the greengrocer's assistant, but by the greengrocer
himself in person. And she made no quiet little curtsies, whispered
no unmeaning welcomes with bated breath. No; as they arrived
she seized each Littlebathian by the hand, and shook that hand
vigorously. She did so to every one that came, rejoiced loudly in the
coming of each, and bade them all revel in tea and cake with a voice
that demanded and received instant obedience.

"Ah, Lady Longspade! this is kind. I am delighted to see you. Do you
remember dear Ems, and the dear Kursaal? Ah, me! Well, do take some
tea now, Lady Longspade. What, Miss Finesse--well--well--well. I was
thinking of Ostend only the other day. You'll find Flounce there
with coffee and cake and all that. You remember my woman, Flounce,
don't you? Mrs. Fuzzybell, you really make me proud. But is not Mr.
Fuzzybell to be here? Oh, he's behind is he? well--I'm so glad.
Ha! ha! ha! A slow coach is he? I'll make him faster. But perhaps
you won't trust him to me, I'm such a dangerous creature. I'm
always eloping with some one. Who knows but I might go off with Mr.
Fuzzyb