loike, for all the world, as if she was greatly obligated to him for taking so much trou ble, as he was so old, and not used to be a waiter; and then, Dan, the moment she heard feather was decrepit, she put some chicken-no drum-sticks, but dainty bits, bless her! (which I verily believe she would have eaten herself, if feather had not been decrepit) and ham too, with her beautiful little hand (with the back of it like snowdrops and violets, and the palm like the finest rose, and so sleek-looking, and such taper fingers surlie, and put all on a china plate, and handed them herself, so she did, to feather, with such a good-natured smile, and looking so sweet, so very, very sweet, that as I looked on her, helping poor old feather, for the first time in my life, I was grieved to think I was not a great lord; and then, Dan, she brought a goblin of wine to feather (who looked ten years youngerHeaven bless his honest face! so proud was he at being so attended); but she was not used to carry wine, sweet creature! for her hand trembled as she took it to him, and bid him drink health and every happiness to 'squire Fitzroy."

Fitzroy, at this moment, made a sudden

effort to gain the opposite side of the square; but was prevented from effecting his purpose, by Miss Hargrave darting towards him to begin her hornpipe; and compelled to return, he caught honest Sim by the arm with marked cordiality; and the amazed Sim afterwards declared, he had never been so bashed in his life as by the 'squire's condescension.

The musicians demanded what hornpipe they were to play. Celestina hastily approached Julia, to ask, which she should dance, Del Caro's or Parisot's hornpipe? "for I had rather please you than any body else," Miss Hargrave added.

Julia blushed most beautifully at this public compliment, and smiled her gratitude; while, in the low hurried tone of timidity, she said (but still ineffably sweet were her accents)—" What is pleasure for yourself, Miss Hargrave, will most of gratification afford for me."

"Do pray let it be Parisot's," exclaimed lady Enderfield, "for I never saw that danced."

Celestina, instantly spreading her fan before her face, with a burlesque gesture of shocked modesty, eager to shut out an im

proper object, turned from her ladyship, and immediately called for Del Caro's, which she danced with a degree of spirit, ease, agility, neatness, and grace, that drew forth the justly-awakened admiration of every spectator: and she had but just finished her admirable hornpipe, when a sudden snap was heard; and in the instant, succeeded the fall of a very large chandelier, which hung immediately over the spot where lady Enderfield and Julia De Clifford stood. It dropped between them. Julia, by the instantaneous exertion of lord Francis in snatching her away, escaped unhurt; but lady Enderfield, less agile, and unassisted, had her diadem and veil torn off by a branch of the chandelier, and received a slight scratch upon one of her shoulders.

Every one, but those immediately of the duchess of Springcourt's party, as if actuated by one impulse, all flew to Julia's aid. Fitzroy was one of the foremost; he snatched her from lord Francis, in wild dismay, and in agonized tenderness clasped her to his breast, exclaiming-" Julia! my life! my-my love! are you-are you hurt?"

Julia, overwhelmed with amazement and confusion, gently disengaged herself from

his arms; and, with a countenance of blushing, soft timidity, replied-" I am totally quite unhurt; except for causing consternation, so great deal, and such much kind concern amongst my friends;" and she courtesied gracefully to those who anxiously stood around her.

Fitzroy, pale and trembling, took the arm of lord Francis Loraine, who was little less agitated than himself. And now a piercing shriek was heard; for lady Enderfield, finding that Fitzroy did not fly to her, and perceiving him tenderly devoted to the mere child lady Gaythorn had chosen to style a beauty, now thought it expedient to faint, which she accordingly did with great effect, first uttering a cry of terror upon hearing her shoulder was scratched; but, although most interestingly timid was this swoon, and that the attitude she reclined in was most beautiful, and the look of sweet resignation her countenance wore, was most seducing, yet all had no influence upon Fitzroy, who stood immoveable, with the tender solicitude of ardent love portrayed in every line of his countenance, gazing at Julia, who, agitated by a variety of sensations, leaned in visible

tremour upon the supporting arm of Mrs. Goodwin; whilst lady Gaythorn, with apparent anxiety, held one of her hands. Mr. Smith, upon perceiving that Fitzroy was become a statue of contemplation, at length, as the other host of the evening, flew to afford his assistance in the recovery of lady Enderfield; when from the striking contrast of their size and figure, and from the burlesque manner in which he jumped about her, the scene became ludicrous in the extreme,

Young farmer Sim had, the moment he observed Julia's agitation, flown for a glass of water, which he was hastily taking to her, when Mr. Smith, as he was passing with it, demanded it from him. Sim refused it bluntly.

"Don't you see, sir," exclaimed Mr. Smith, with melancholy grimace, "the lady's in a feint ?"

“That a blind man may see, sir; and this water is for Miss, who is not in a feint," replied Sim, hastening on.

"Good Heavens, ladies!" exclaimed Mr. Smith," will none of you advise me how to act in this desperate case? Consider, dear ladies! I am (most calamitously for