The Beautiful Wretch; The Pupil of Aurelius; and The Four Macnicols

came to know her. The Beresfords had for many years been the intimate friends of the Strathernes; and though they saw less of each other since

are occasions, if Sir George heard of the Beautiful Wretch being in town, nothing would do but that she should come with her mother and sisters to lunch in Spring Gardens-he being at this time Senior Naval Lord. And Nan was rejoiced. She

grizzled hair, a firm face, and the kindliest of gray eyes; while on this occasion he was very gorgeously attired, for he had already dressed for a Levee, and, moreover, it was a Collar Day. It was extraordinary to see how naturally Nan went up to him, taking it for granted he would scarcely have a word for anybody else. And he hadn't. Of course he shook hands with Lady Beresford and Mary and Edith, a

sailor, briskly, 'what i

rdon, Sir Geor

, girl, that you're

eorge?' said she,

d heard her sisters speak of

nd still on Thursday night-in amazement. And if you didn't know, now you know; and that's the

Her heart began to beat rapidly

as at a ball-I-I never go ou

nd sung acr

the

from homely: she was a distinguished-looking woman, with pale, r

a partner; I insist on having a partner. Get a card and invite her-a card all to herself-h

all, but regarded the other moth

otested, 'it is impossible. Thank y

to be able to do everything at a moment's notice; and of course they're right; and so of course we can do it. And so

. How could a ball-dress be got ready by Thursday night? And so forth: and so forth. Sir George paid no attention to all this firing of cotton pellets. She was coming to the ball on Thursday night, he maintained with a do

at Sir George sees

that in the case of Nan Beresford this prospect filled her mind with nothing but terror and dismay. It was in all sincerity that she had besought Sir George to let her off; though she might as well have gone down on her knees to the Monument. He could not understand why a young girl of seventeen should be really reluctant to go to a dance-and a very pretty

e evening, when some young people were present, there was frequently a carpet-dance improvised; and then sometimes Nan was dragged in to make up a set at some square dance. She got through it mechanically; but it afforded her no special pleasure; and as for round dances, she said they made her giddy, and so she got excus

and a thousand times Nan had inwardly prayed that it might not be ready in time-was quite as pretty as theirs. It was very pretty indeed; but somehow, Nan, as she regarded herself in the big mirror, convinced herself that there was not enough of her to carry off a ball-dress. Her sisters had a certain

. Let me sit by you, and take as much of the talk as I can. I really don't care to dance. I would rather not dance. I woul

resford

p daughters--,' she s

an, eagerly, 'would y

tay at home? and I wi

her eldest sister. 'Do you t

through the conversation at luncheon-tables; and she was almost anxious to get quickly up to have a glimpse at these celebrated people. When she got to the landing, she did not see Lady Stratherne at all; for her eyes were filled with wonder at the blaze of light and colour beyond-the draperies of flags, and masses of chandeliers-and she said, under her breath, 'Oh, mamma, isn't it beautiful!' The next thing she heard was 'Nan, dear, how well you are looking! What beautiful forget-me-nots!' and in a startled way she found that she was shaking hands with Lady Stratherne, whose kind eyes were regarding her with a momentary approval. Instinctively, however, she knew from the way that her hostess's eyes had turned to the

happiness was full. She had passed the ordeal unscathed. Why, it was nothing! All the people were engaged with themselves; there was not a sound of music; nothing but a hum of talking, and always that bewildering glow of light and colour, and here and the

long low growl from a vi

pen out at one corner of the room near her; and the next thing she knew was tha

out? Lady Beresford, how are you? Ah, Mary? Edith, you are lovelier every day

ge,' said Nan, with h

something visible like the formation of a double line. At the same instant young Charley Strathe

Go and get Frank King

rank King was

Georg

g. Ask this young lady if

ment of duty. 'You'll just do. Let me introduce you to Miss Anne

o take matters very coolly, considering that they were wanted right at the top of the spacious assembly-room. Hap

se mass of people with the eye of a strategist. The clearing of the

be difficult,'

nd,' said he, about to l

rass them if we have another set at this end. And-and-I am not

to be looking up at him to impress on him that she would as soon not dance, she

h part of a second, 'perhaps you would

upon which there was as yet not a scrap of writing.

are at a little distance. And I know how to get to that recess the

at!' she said. How gr

decorated with trailing-plants, trained on trellis-work; and two or three circles of red candles, amid so much green foliage, had a pretty eff

She had been presented with a partner; and if only she had not shown herself reluctant, she knew very well he could have found places for them. Were not officers always fond of dancing? And then it suddenly occurred to her that she ought to try to make him some amends. She

ropped them again. He had been for the momen