I amuse Lord Knocklofty, and I aim at no
more ; and aim at that only, as it gives me the
more opportunity of being with you, dear At
bioa.** The ladies looked in each other's eyes



toMicri J, mad p t fcd wh Qlkei^s badk

'^ I lore joa mj moA^** add Ladj Knodi-
lofty, fendlj; ^ but jrou ne » aerere, k> v-
Gtttic with me; jou wciiild radier at aoj MK
ncrifice « friend, than loae joor bom wtoL^

*< To act othenrife,'' o b a e ifg d Lady Honorii,
kugfaing, ** Lavater saja, entitles <ne to canoai-
aation; and you know, dear, I am no sdat
But seriously, you mistake me, dearest Albina ;
I am only vexed to see your romantic imagina-
tion perpetually getting the better of your judg-
ment. Now, tell truth, havenH you conjured
up that young volunteer into a regular hero of



romance ?**



" He has the air of one," said Lady Knock-
lofty ; *' surely you can't deny that ?"

<^ What, because he is tall, has impudent eyes,
and wears no powder ! But you are always dans
lea hauies aventures. You know you once fan-
cied your black footman was Prince Le Boo,



THE o'flahebtys. 233

wfaidi produced that ridiculous scen^ at the
qitttle, and committed you beyond '^

<^ I have, at least, never so committed myself
aa to forfdt my own esteem/' interrupted Lady
Knocklofty, her temper rising, in spite of her
friendship, at the allusion to Prince Le Boo— -a
sore subject. ^' And allow me to tell you
frankly,'^ she continued, raising her voice with
most unsentimental vehemence —

^* Tell me what you please, and as frankly as
you will,^' said Lady Honoria, in a muttered
and rapid tone, ^^ but don't tell it to me quite so
loud, for I suspect we are overheard.^'

** Heard, by whom — there is no one near,**
said Lady Knocklofty.
