am to dine with your dear family when I like. But Mrs.
Fancourt must choose her day, because they will keep. You do not know
this gentleman,' she said, turning to Mrs. Fan-court. 'Well, I shall not
introduce you; he will not suit you; he is a fine gentleman, and only
dines, with dukes.'

Mrs. Fancourt consequently looked very anxious for an introduction.

'General Faneville,' Lady Bellair continued, to a gentleman on her left,
'what day do I dine with you? Wednesday. Is our party full? You must
make room for him; he is my greatest favourite. All the ladies are in
love with him.'

General Faneville expressed his deep sense of the high honour; Ferdinand
protested he was engaged on Wednesday; Mrs. Fancourt looked very
disappointed that she had thus lost another opportunity of learning the
name of so distinguished a personage.

There was another knock. Mrs. Fancourt departed. Lady Maxbury, and her
daughter, Lady Selina, were announced.

'Have you got him?' asked Lady Bellair, very eagerly, as her new
visitors entered.

'He has promised most positively,' answered Lady Maxbury.

'Dear, good creature!' exclaimed Lady Bellair, 'you are the dearest
creature that I know. And you are charming,' she continued, addressing
herself to Lady Selina; 'if I were a man, I would marry you directly.
There now, he (turning to Ferdinand) cannot marry you, because he is
married already; but he should, if he were not. And how will he come?'
enquired Lady Bellair.

'He will find his way,' said Lady Maxbury.

'And I am not to pay anything?' enquired Lady Bellair.

'Not anything,' said Lady Maxbury.

'I cannot bear paying,' said Lady Bellair. 'But will he dance, and
will he bring his bows and arrows? Lord Dorfield protests 'tis nothing
without the bows and arrows.'

'What, the New Zealand chief, Lady Bellair?' enquired the general.

'Have you seen him?' enquired Lady Bellair, eagerly.

'Not yet,' replied the gentleman.

'Well, then, you will see him to-night,' said Lady Bellair, with an air
of triumph. 'He is coming to me to-night.'

Ferdinand rose, and was about to depart.

'You must not go without seeing my squirrel,' said her ladyship, 'that
my dear funny grandson gave me: he is such a funny boy. You must see it,
you must see it,' added her ladyship, in a peremptory tone. 'There,
go out of that door, and you will find your way to my summer-room, and
there you will find my squirrel.'

The restless Ferdinand was content to