, she bowed, with her haughtiest dignity, to a
rather common-looking personage in a gorgeously-embroidered waistcoat.

'Lady Ionia Colonnade, my lady.' Lady Bellair bestowed a smiling nod
on this fair and classic dame, and even indicated, by a movement of her
fan, that she might take a seat on her ottoman.

'Sir Ratcliffe and Lady Armine, my lady, and Miss Grandison.'

'Dear, good people!' exclaimed Lady Bellair, 'how late you are! and
where is your wicked son? There, go into the next room, go, go, and see
the wonderful man. Lady Ionia, you must know Lady Armine; she is
like you; she is one of my favourites. Now then, there all of you go
together. I will not have anybody stay here except my niece. This is my
niece,' Lady Bellair added, pointing to a young lady seated by her side;
'I give this party for her.' 'General Faneville, my lady.' 'You are very
late,' said Lady Bellair. 'I dined at Lord Rochfort's,' said the general
bowing.

'Rochfort's! Oh! where are they? where are the Rochforts? they ought
to be here. I must, I will see them. Do you think Lady Rochfort wants a
nursery governess? Because I have a charming person who would just suit
her. Go and find her out, General, and enquire; and if she do not want
one, find out some one who does. Ask Lady Maxbury. There, go, go.'

'Mr. and Miss Temple, my lady.'

'Oh, my darling!' said Lady Bellair, 'my real darling! sit by me. I sent
Lady Ionia away, because I determined to keep this place for you. I give
this party entirely in your honour, so you ought to sit here. You are a
good man,' she continued, addressing Mr. Temple; 'but I can't love you
so well as your daughter.'

'I should be too fortunate,' said Mr. Temple, smiling.

'I knew you when you ate pap,' said Lady Bellair, laughing.

'Mrs. Montgomery Floyd, my lady.'

Lady Bellair assumed her coldest and haughtiest glance. Mrs. Montgomery
appeared more gorgeous than ever. The splendour of her sweeping train
almost required a page to support it; she held a bouquet which might
have served for the centre-piece of a dinner-table. A slender youth,
rather distinguished in appearance, simply dressed, with a rose-bud just
twisted into his black coat, but whose person distilled odours whose
essence might have exhausted a conservatory, lounged at her side.

'May I have the honour to present to your ladyship Lord Catchimwhocan?'
breathed forth Mrs. Montgomery, exulting in her companion, perhaps in
her conquest.

Lad