and she examined it all over.

"Is she not per

fectly well dressed, my Lord Mowbray ?”

"Well dressed!—yes, perhaps so; I don't know, upon my honour; but if you ask me how Lady Emily looks, I think she is just as handsome when she has less finery on."

"Oh, but you know there is a time for all things. One is not always to be en robe de chambre."

"I think," said Lord Bellamont, "that ladies disfigure themselves very much by all their millinery contrivances; and if they would only adopt some sort of dress more analogous to the human form, and keep to that, they would look much handsomer. The less of contrivance, and quirks, and puffings, and plaitings, and gimpings, and little ins and outs the better. Something large, flowing, of fine material if you will, only none of your contrivances. Look less at milliners' shops, and more at pictures; but nothing can ever look well, so long as women paint their faces."

“Oh, dear! you must go back and be born over again, and live in the times of the Greeks and Romans; though I think my governess told me, the Roman ladies used the same aids to

VOL. III.

heighten their charms. As to me, I am quite contented with the things as they are. But how comes it, my Lord Mowbray, that you are still in London ?" continued Lady Frances. “I thought you were gone; at least, you told me some nights ago that you were going to Mowbray Castle?"

"But going and gone are two things, Lady Frances. Business detained me to-night; still I intend going to-morrow."

"Are you resolved ?"

"Resolved is a great word for such a trifling circumstance:- I intend to do so."

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By-the-by, Emily," said Lady Frances, addressing her sister, "I wish to speak with you ; for to-morrow I may not see you till we meet at the ball," and she led her sister into an adjoining room.

"Sister dear," said she in her sweetest tones, "I have a favour to ask of you."

"I am rejoiced, Frances, to hear it; for you well know, that if in my power to grant, it shall be complied with."

for

"Well," rejoined Lady Frances, " to tell you the truth, I have just been trying on my gown to-morrow's ball, and it does not please me-it is

all white, and with my black hair it looks quite like a magpie. Do, there's a good girl, do change dresses with me: your fair hair and light blue eyes, will suit the angel pretension of all white; but it does not answer to me, that is certain. In short, if you will but grant my request, I will do any thing for you afterwards. You know Lord Mowbray has seen you in this, and you do not want to get up any new Flirtations; therefore one gown is the same to you as another.”

Lady Emily smiled as she replied-" No, Frances, one gown is not the same to me as another. I do not pretend that, for every body likes to look their best, especially on an occasion of so much show and ceremony as that of to-morrow; but I shall, with pleasure, give you up mine, if it makes you happier.”

"Well now, Emily dear, that is very kind. When I am married, I hope I shall be able to do as much for you. So now ring the bell, and order Mademoiselle Blondell to take your dress to my house, and bring mine here."

The order was given; and Lady Emily, having disrobed herself of her pink and silver, made a ready sacrifice of it to her sister, and in a few mi

nutes more returned with her to join the rest of the party, clad in her usual simple array.

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My Lady Glassington," cried Mrs. Neville, we shall see you to-morrow at the Prince's ball."

"of course

"Mrs. Neville, there is no of course at all in the business; or else, it is true, you ought to have seen me there; but every thing is out of course now-a-days."-Then settling her petticoat with one hand, and laying hold of Mrs. Neville with the other—" Now do, there's a kind person -do lay aside your useless hurry for once, and sit down while I tell you a story."

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My Lady Glassington is quite in her zephyr mood," whispered the General to Lady Emily. "General, I say, General! do listen now to what I am going to say to you."

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'I am all attention," he replied, looking very

serious.

"As I sat in my peignoir while Marshall was adjusting my head-dress, he said; 'Your ladyship, will, I conclude, want my attendance, for the Prince's ball to-morrow night.' And pray, Mr. Marshall, what makes you conclude any thing

about the matter?'

I beg your Ladyship's par

don,' said he, 'only I thought, I imagined—that his Serene Highness would not give an entertainment to the whole Court in which your Ladyship was not included, and besides, I know from pretty good authority, that tag, rag, and bobtail will be there to-morrow night.'-' But I would have you to know, Mr. Marshall, once for all,' (and she arose and extended her arm theatrically,)—that my Lady Glassington is neither tag, rag, nor bobtail.' -Now, Mistress Neville, are you answered ?"

"Bravo! my Lady," was uttered on all sides.

Why yes," she said; "I think I have done for Marshall, and posed Mrs. Neville, and that is saying a good deal.”

"Well to be sure! charming, charming, it is beyond belief: the best thing I ever heard in my life! I shall go and tell it at Lady Orwell's.— Excellently good! I am neither tag, rag, nor bobtail! Well to be sure,-but I must be gone, so good-night, General, good-night, my Lady Glassington, never mind, my Lord ;" and shutting the door in his face as Lord Mowbray rose to hand her to her carriage, she left Lady Glassing