elves
we shouldn't notice it. Do you play cribbage? Shall we have a little
cribbage?" But Miss Baker did not play cribbage; or, at any rate, she
said that she did not.

"And do tell me something about dear Caroline," continued Miss Todd.
"I am so anxious to see her. But it has been a very long engagement,
hasn't it? and there ought to be lots of money, oughtn't there? But
I suppose it's all right. You know I was very much in love with young
Bertram myself; and made all manner of overtures to him, but quite
in vain; ha! ha! ha! I always thought him a very fine fellow, and I
think her a very lucky girl. And when is it to be? And, do tell me,
is she over head and ears in love with him?"

What was Miss Baker to say to this? She had not the slightest
intention of making Miss Todd a confidante in the matter: certainly
not now, as that lady was inclined to behave so very improperly with
Sir Lionel; and yet she did not know how to answer it.

"I hope it won't be put off much longer," continued Miss Todd. "Is
any day fixed yet?"

"No; no day is fixed yet," replied Miss Baker, blushing.

Miss Todd's ear was very quick. "There is nothing the matter, I
trust. Well, I won't ask any questions, nor say a word to anybody.
Come, there is a table vacant, and we will cut in." And then she
determined that she would get it all out from Sir Lionel.

The parties at some of the tables were now changed, and Miss Baker
and Miss Todd found themselves playing together. Miss Baker, too,
loved a gentle little rubber, if she could enjoy it quietly, without
fear of being gobbled up by any Ruff or any Longspade; and with Miss
Todd she was in this matter quite safe. She might behave as badly as
had the Lady Ruth, and Miss Todd would do no worse than laugh at her.
Miss Todd did not care about her points, and at her own house would
as soon lose as win; so that Miss Baker would have been happy had
she not still continued to sigh over her friend's very improper
flirtation with Sir Lionel.

And thus things went on for an hour or so. Every now and again a
savage yell was heard from some ill-used angry lady, and low growls,
prolonged sometimes through a whole game, came from different parts
of the room; but nobody took any notice of them; 'twas the manner at
Littlebath: and, though a stranger to the place might have thought,
on looking at those perturbed faces, and hearing those uncourteous
sounds, that there would be a flow of blood--such a flow as a