ptain Hoby as
the Count, and Captain Goby as the Duke of Alva, looking out of window.

Mrs. Mackenzie was in a state of great happiness and glory during this
winter. She had a carriage, and worked that vehicle most indefatigably.
She knew a great deal of good company at Brussels. She had an evening
for receiving. She herself went to countless evening-parties, and had
the joy of being invited to a couple of court balls, at which I am bound
to say her daughter and herself both looked very handsome. The Colonel
brushed up his old uniform and attended these entertainments. M. Newcome
fils, as I should judge, was not the worst-looking man in the room; and,
as these young people waltzed together (in which accomplishment Clive
was very much more skilful than Captain Goby) I dare say many people
thought he and Rosey made a pretty couple.

Most persons, my wife included, difficult as that lady is to please,
were pleased with the pretty little Rosey. She sang charmingly now,
and looked so while singing. If her mother would but have omitted that
chorus, which she cackled perseveringly behind her daughter's pretty
back: about Rosey's angelic temper; about the compliments Signor
Polonini paid her; about Sir Horace Dash, our minister, insisting upon
her singing "Batti Batti" over again, and the Archduke clapping his
hands and saying, "Oh, yes!" about Count Vanderslaapen's attentions to
her, etc. etc.; but for these constant remarks of Mrs. Mack's, I am
sure no one would have been better pleased with Miss Rosey's singing and
behaviour than myself. As for Captain Hoby, it was easy to see how he
was affected towards Miss Rosalind's music and person.

And indeed few things could be pleasanter than to watch the behaviour
of this pretty little maid with her Uncle James and his old chum the
Colonel. The latter was soon as fond of her as James Binnie himself,
whose face used to lighten with pleasure whenever it turned towards
hers. She seemed to divine his wants, as she would trip across the room
to fulfil them. She skipped into the carriage and covered his feet with
a shawl. James was lazy and chilly now, when he took his drive. She
sate opposite to him and smiled on him; and, if he dozed, quick, another
handkerchief was round his neck. I do not know whether she understood
his jokes, but she saluted them always with a sweet kind smile. How she
kissed him, and how delighted she was if he bought her a bouquet for her
ball that night! One da