every moment in you do I behold a brighter example of virtue? Oh, Antonia!" "Think not to fly me, my charming partner," said Lord Carberry, approaching, "for by heaven! if it is to the world's end I will pursue you." "And do you call me to gaiety and then forsake me ?" reproachfully whispered Dauverne, relinquishing her hand.

"I had hoped

you would have taken compassion on the supine dancer." "I am sorry-it is very unfortunate" articulated Antonia, in a low voice, but Lord Carberry-" "The next two then," interrupted Dauverne. "Sir Frederic Stanley," again murmured the disappointed girl. "Happy Stanley!" sighed. Dauverne, as Carberry led her to her station. Suddenly she turned, and again approaching him, as a soft blush mantled her face and bosom, articulated, "The two succeeding I am at liberty." And then, said

Say

" and

Dauverne, eagerly, and his countenance beamed with delight, "I will claim my partner, and-" " Dance away the cramp," ironically observed Lady Geraldine, who, like an evil genius, seemed to pursue him. rather," rejoined Dauverne, sue the compassion of Miss Forrester, to accept as a partner a man whose vapidity has put to flight even the persevering spirit of Lady Geraldine." *'Pon my honour," resumed her ladyship, laughing, "Miss Forrester must possess more than double my patience, if she undertakes the charge of so heedless a being. "I was ever famed for patience," lisped the Duchess of Delaware, joining them at the moment, and languidly turning her lovely eyes on Dauverne. By heaven! fair challenge," exclaimed Carberry. "Your grace's condescension is enough to implant in the breasts of thousands the dangerous seeds of envy." The

duchess smiled, Daůverne bowed. Though for myself," continued the earl, again leading Antonia to the dance," not the voluptuous queen of Egypt, when dissolving costly pearls, could tempt me, even in thought, to exchange my incomparable partner, for

"She alone

Possesses every thought,

Fills every sense, and pants in

"

every vein."

"Her grace of Delaware will soon be tired of her partner," remarked Carberry, on reaching the bottom of the set for Dauverne sails on in the same negative style. I question whether he is not seized with another fit of the cramp, for he looks, if I may use the expression, as though he were dancing without a soul." The rose on Antonia's cheek heightened its tints, for the earl softly pursued-" If, when the envied partner of Miss Forrester, the same languor should pre

vail, I shall eternally vote him as dead to sense as he appears to be to exertion."" Is it as I hinted, or is it not?" questioned Sunderland, whispering in the ear of Lady Geraldine. "Did you ever behold such a change? 'pon my soul 'tis too palpable!" For Dauverne, now figuring down the dance with Antonia, was indeed an altered being. He looked the very image of grace, animation, and gaiety; while Antonia, beholding no other than he partner, like the sylphid fairy, tripped

"On the light fantastic toe."

"The cramp has vanished, sarcastically exclaimed Lady Geraldine, sufficiently loud to reach the ear of Dau-, verne: he turned on her a silent glance of disapprobation, and with the unvarying smile of pleasure regained the " I prohand of his lovely partner. test Miss Forrester is determined to

σε

show us that Italy at least is famous for dancing," continued her ladyship. "And Geraldine in her turn," said Lady Selina, "would, was the fair foreigner to judge of a nation by an individual, compel her to acknowledge England famous for good nature and liberality." Italy is famous for painting too," remarked Sir Frederic, archly glancing at Lady Geraldine. ""Tis universally allowed to be the nativity of the fine arts," said Captain And, I am sure;' Glendenning. interrupted Lord Carberry, " in Miss Forrester we may affirm it has given birth to one of the graces." Lady Geraldine smiled contemptuously, and addressing Sunderland in a low whisper languidly took his arm and walked to a seat.

It was late, or, rather, early before the company quitted the Grange. Night's vapours had rolled before the face of day already had the peasant