discovered a long-persisted-in mistake, they hasten to repair the past
by sudden confidences. Let me give an instance, even though it be almost
too bold a one for my theory. A friend of mine, who had served some
years with great distinction in the East, returned to England in company
with a brother officer, a man of high family, knowing and known to
every one of a certain standing in London. My friend, who, from a remote
province, had no town acquaintances, was, however, speedily introduced
by his friend, and, heralded by his reputation, was greatly noticed in
society. He soon wearied of a round of dissipations, wherein the great,
if not the only interest, lies in knowledge of the actors; and was one
night stealing away from a large evening party, secretly resolving
that it should be his last ball. He had, by dint of great labour and
perseverance, reached the last salon, and already-caught glimpse of the
stair beyond, when his progress was suddenly arrested by a very sweet
but excited voice, saying--'One moment, sir; may I beg you will
release my scarf.' He turned and beheld a very handsome girl, who was
endeavouring to disengage from her shoulders a rich scarf of lace, one
end of which was caught in the star he wore on his breast--a decoration
from the Nizam. He immediately began to detach the delicate tissue from
its dangerous situation. But his address was inferior to his zeal, so
that he continually received admonitions as to greater care and caution,
with mingled laments over the inevitable mischief that must follow.
Something abashed by his own awkwardness, his nervousness made him
worse, and he muttered to himself in German, thinking it was a
safe tongue for soliloquy--'Why will ladies wear such preposterous
finery?--the spider's web is not so fragile.' To which at once the lady
replied, in the same language,--'If men are vain enough to carry a coat
full of '_crachats_' and orders, ladies ought, at least, to be careful
how they pass them.' He blushed at the tart rebuke, and in his eagerness
he tore a little hoop or mesh of the scarf. 'Oh, pray sir, permit me! It
is real Brussels!' and so saying, she at once began, with a skill very
different from his, the work of disentanglement. My friend, however,
did not desist, but gave what aid he could, their fingers more than once
meeting. Meanwhile a running fire of pleasantry and smartness went on
between them, when suddenly his brother officer came up, saying,--

"'Oh!