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She, however, told me that Lord Castleton had informed her of all the tormenting difficulties in which I felt plunged, from being a stranger to the new world I was in-its manners and maxims-and, above all, as to the mysteries of what is called fashionable life. To be instructed in this, she told me with a smile, that Lord Castleton had asked leave to send me to her school, which, from the specimen of the scholar, she said she was very willing to allow.

"So, as you now know the school-room," added she, "I shall hope to see you again. Besides, I may be a scholar as well as you; for while I teach you the beau monde, you may teach me Shakspeare; and now adieu, for I see I am summoned. There is not time even for a take-leave compliment."

The meaning of this was, that one of the royal coaches was at the door to take her to the palace, where she was in high favour, as well as place; and I proceeded to my little lodging in Green Street, with the sort of confused pleasantness which a man feels when he wakes from a busy and crowded, but very delightful dream.

CHAPTER V.

CONTAINING A VERY LEARNED

DISSERTATION

UPON FASHION, IN WHICH A LADY OF THE FIRST FASHION DISTINGUISHES HERSELF.

The plague of such antick, lisping, affecting fantasticoes. Why, is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers, who stand so much on the new form, that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench?

SHAKSPEARE.-Romeo & Juliet.

I TRUST that the picture of the delightful lady whom I attempted to set before my readers in the last chapter, has created the interest for her which she deserves.

Lord Castleton was pleased with my description of the intercourse I had with her, and still more with the account she gave of it herself.

"You cannot," said he, "cultivate her too much—that is, if Granville will permit you."

These words surprised me, for I thought more was meant than met the ear. It had occurred to me, as indeed may be remembered, that the only cause of Granville's power to resist Bertha was his heart being already occupied; and it now struck

me, from what I had seen and heard, that Lady Hungerford was the amulet that protected him. She was certainly the magnet that drew and kept him so long at Paris. She was the reason, best known to himself, which enabled him to see, speak to, serve, and admire Bertha without loving her. In short, Lady Hungerford, I supposed, was the Sacharissa who had rendered Bertha no more than an Amoret.

Well; I gave him joy. I was sincerely glad; for, from what I could observe, his Sacharissa was disposed to be more kind than Waller's. And yet

Ah! if it were not for those and yets, how many hearts would be spared anxiety! how unfounded would be the complaint, that "the course of true love never did run smooth."

Yes; there was a strong "and yet" against poor Granville. For, with all his high connections, talents, reputation, admittance, he was but a younger brother, with a younger brother's fortune. Yet (for there was a yet on the other side) five thousand a year jointure, and love! if there was love!

From all this it will appear that I was reasoning upon my own case; for in truth I now discovered, if my suspicion was right, that Granville's case was very little different from mine; in which I only forgot the little circumstances that my father

was a farmer, his a courtier and a man of fortune; his mistress at least fond of his company; while mine had allowed me to depart from her for ever. But let me return to my narrative.

From my admiration of Lady Hungerford, as well as the encouragement she gave me, it may be supposed that I again presented myself at her door, and I was again admitted into that temple of elegance-the boudoir where she passed her mornings.

She was gracious as ever, and asked me how I got on in the science of fashion, for science she termed it.

"I believe," said she, "there is no taking a degree in it at Oxford, nor even any professors of it to have recourse to on an emergency ?"

"That I can answer for to my certain knowledge," replied I.

"After all, then," continued she, "I believe what I have heard, that London, as it is the largest, is also the best university. We have indeed many professors of this science here, though with very different qualifications."

"It is this difference," answered I, "in those who profess to have the same knowledge and the same reputation in the science, which puzzles me; and this it is, upon which, under your ladyship's auspices, I so wish to be enlightened. I see a number of human beings divided into different

circles, and by no means shewing the same character or manners; not even of the same rank or condition, fortune or talents; and yet all calling themselves, or claiming to be called, the fashionable world. Are they all entitled to this privilege, or only a few? and if not all, how are we to distinguish the genuine and original from the counterfeit and the copyists?"

"You have advanced pretty far," said Lady Hungerford," in having already found out that there is this distinction. It is by no means every one that has that tact."

"It is important, however," said I, "because, having no pretension myself, but seeking a proper model for imitation, I may be misled by false colours, and instead of being well-bred, may turn out to be ridiculous."

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Nothing more true," said Lady Hungerford, "if you were without the tact I have mentioned, and which I believe you to possess the tact to discover the real tournure from the false. For tournure, after all, is perhaps the appropriate word, far more definite in its signification than fashion itself, so generally used, and become so common, that it is now almost confounded with its opposite-vulgarity."

I thanked her for this new light as to terms, and hoped it would lead to farther acquisitions in what she had so properly called the science.

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