The Westcotes

-tenths of the company dwelt close enough together to be on visiting terms-it nicely preluded the domestic festivities of Chr

, for example; but discussed dresses and the prospects of the Ball for some weeks beforehand, a

, however, had seen to the roughing of the horses. Thin powdery snow began to fall as the Bayfield barouche rolled past the gates into the high road; and Narcissus, who considered himself a weather-prophet, foretold a thaw before morning. U

rugs, settees, groups of green foliage plants, and candles, the light of which shone through shades of yellow paper. The prisoners, too, had adorned with varicoloured paperwork the candelabra, girandoles and mirrors which drew twinkles from the long waxed floor, and softened whatever migh

in, edged with swansdown, and tied with sash and shoulder-knots of a flame-hued ribbon which had taken her fancy at Bath in the autumn.

she carried home heart-sickness, weariness, and a discontent of which she purged her soul, on her knees, before lying down to sleep. She had a contrite spirit; she knew that her lot was a fortuna

without bringing her a partner. For the fourth-the "Soldier's joy"- she was claimed by an awkward schoolboy, home for the holidays; whether out of duty or obeying the law of Nature by which shy youths are attracted to middle-aged partners, she could not tell, nor did she ask

ich compass, and he had a knack of compelling the attention of all persons within range. He preferred this to addressing a

citable neighbours across the Channel. Setting patriotism apart and regarding the question merely in its-ah-philosoph

of his hearers; but h

der how such a nation could so far mistake its destiny and the designs of Providence (inscrutab

, she was supposed to be acting as Dorothea's chaperon tonight; but having with little exertion found partners for a niece of her own, a sprightly young l

ed towards her. "You h

tcote it would have been hard to find in England. He stood with a hand negligently resting on his left hip- the word hip,-his right foot advanced, the toe of his p

nced, "and now I'm sure of it. I don't mind Frenchmen as Frenc

em which, in my somewha

You see the result." He

ne thing I must say, i

them

ut with that air of vacuity with which he revenged himself upon the passing hour of misfortune. "Go on," it seemed to say, "but permit me to remind you that, so far as I am concerned, you do not exist." Old General Rochambeau and old Rear-Admiral de Wailly-Duchemin, in worn but carefully-brushed regimentals, patrolled the far end of the

e is not danc

nd she looked up with a start

explain why she had been s

ticket, and I assume that it carries permission to dance, provided he does

lf that he made a decidedly handsome fellow in his blue uniform with red facings and corded e

in a-what do you call

errup

ral Rochambeau had, not y

perhaps; but first you

Are you not da

, sir, on whether

m, and she found herself joining in his laugh-a happy, confidential little laugh. Dorothea cast a nervous glance towards her brother, but Endymion's back was turned. She saw th

rend folle,"

to dance 'Britannia's Triumph' to it. Come, Mademoiselle, si

elf no mean performer-tasted, after his first surprise, something of the joy of discovery. Who could have guessed that this quiet spinster, who, as a rule, held herself and walked so awkwardly, would prove the best partner in the room? He had not the least doubt of it. Others danced with more abandonment, with more exuberant vigour- "romped" was his criticism-but none with such élan perfectly restrained,

murmured, as he led her back to her seat. She tu

dance so much in my li

lau

, and checked himself, with a glance over hi

-" She looked up

isten to th

l clanging in a distant street. "Time for all good prisoners to be in bed, and

er much in th

ged his

ough your brother does

be a hard sea

brother does not approve of ladies m

where at a side table three of my compatriots are vendi

h has annoyed Ge

sed the phrase,

t

ny other time she would have defended, or at least excused, her brother. Sh

nk of some

saw that had risen in h

e, we shall find it

explained, "I may als

im as I do, and you sha

oes not hurt him

t it hu

wed g

u, again. Whom you lo

n your panel of Bacchus and Ariadne; he will be glad to discuss it with you. Br-r-r-!"-he shivered-"I have been down to the door, and

ored the

lf-a-dozen mistakes," said he, addressing Na

t hesitate to take one; you can return it to-morrow or next day." Dorothea being his only audience, he beamed a look on her

ul; and Dorothea could see him, a moment later, shaking his

contre- danse, but no partner approached to claim her. The dance began. It was the "Dashing White Sergeant," and one exuberant co

her hand went u

l himself. And beneath the throat of the nymph on the right, half concealed in the folds about her bosom, hung a locket-a small enamelled heart, edged with brilliants. Just su

d drew the edge of the orange

her back to the Town House; but already the snow lay a foot and a half deep, and was still falling. He himself, after packing her off with

irs the orchestra was sawing out the strains of "Major Malley's Reel," as Endymion lifted his sister in and slammed

ht a

the draughty passage. But it so happened that, in starting, the coachman entangled his o

wo deft hands quickly scoop

his coat-collar, th

issa

ehicle rolled heavily forward, out of the darkness a s