y Bellair gave a short and ungracious nod. Mrs. Montgomery recognised
Mr. and Miss Temple. 'There, go, go,' said Lady Bellair, interrupting
her, 'nobody must stop here; go and see the wonderful man in the next
room.'

'Lady Bellair is so strange,' whimpered Mrs. Montgomery, in an
apologetical whisper to Miss Temple, and she moved away, covering her
retreat by the graceful person of Lord Catchimwhocan.

'Some Irish guardsman, I suppose,' said Lady Bellair. 'I never heard of
him; I hate guardsmen.'

'Rather a distinguished-looking man, I think,' said Mr. Temple.

'Do you think so?' said Lady Bellair, who was always influenced by the
last word. 'I will ask him for Thursday and Saturday. I think I must
have known his grandfather. I must tell him not to go about with that
horrid woman. She is so very fine, and she uses musk; she puts me
in mind of the Queen of Sheba,' said the little lady, laughing, 'all
precious stones and frankincense. I quite hate her.'

'I thought she was quite one of your favourites, Lady Bellair?' said
Henrietta Temple rather maliciously.

'A Bath favourite, my dear; a Bath favourite. I wear my old bonnets at
Bath, and use my new friends; but in town I have old friends and new
dresses.'

'Lady Frederick Berrington, my lady.' 'Oh! my dear Lady Frederick, now
I will give you a treat. I will introduce you to my sweet, sweet friend,
whom I am always talking to you of. You deserve to know her; you will
taste her; there, sit down, sit by her, and talk to her, and make love
to her.'

'Lady Womandeville, my lady.'

'Ah! she will do for the lord; she loves a lord. My dear lady, you come
so late, and yet I am always so glad to see you. I have such a charming
friend for you, the handsomest, most fashionable, witty person, quite
captivating, and his grandfather was one of my dearest friends. What is
his name? what is his name? Lord Catchimwhocan. Mind, I introduce you
to him, and ask him to your house very often.'

Lady Womandeville smiled, expressed her delight, and moved on.

Lord Montfort, who had arrived before the Temples, approached the
ottoman.

'Is the duchess here?' enquired Henrietta, as she shook hands with him.

'And Isabella,' he replied. Henrietta rose, and taking his arm, bid
adieu to Lady Bellair.

'God bless you,' said her ladyship, with great emphasis. 'I will not
have you speak to that odious Mrs. Floyd, mind.'

When Lord Montfort and Henrietta succeeded in discovering the duc