bending over Dolly, spoke to her in stage-whisper.     

       “I will bring young Mr. Jessup to take you into the supper-room, Dorothea,” she said.     

       But Dolly's plans were already arranged, and even if such had not been the case she would scarcely have rejoiced at the prospect of the escort of young Mr. Jessup, who was a mild young idiot engaged in the study of theology.     

       “Thank you, Lady Augusta,” she said, cheerfully, “but I have promised Mr. Gowan.”      

       And Lady Augusta had the pleasure of seeing her leave the room a minute later, with her small glove slipped through Ralph Gowan's arm, and the plainly delighted face of that gentleman inclined attentively toward the elaborate Frenchy coiffure.     

       At the supper-table little Miss Crewe was a prominent feature. At her end of the table conversation flourished and cheerfulness reigned. Even Euphemia and young Mr. Jessup, who had come down together in a mutual agony of embarrassment, began to pluck up spirit and hazard occasional remarks, and finally even joined in the laughter at Dolly's witticism.     

       People lower down the table glanced up across the various dishes, and envied the group who seemed to set the general heaviness and discontent at defiance.     

       Dolly, accompanied by coffee and cakes, was more at home and more delightful than ever, so delightful, indeed, that Ralph Gowan began to regard even Lady Augusta with gratitude, since it was to her he was, to some extent, indebted for his new acquaintance.     

       “She is a delightful—yes, a delightful girl!” exclaimed young Mr.       Jessup, confidentially addressing-Euphemia, and blushing vividly at his own boldness. “I never heard such a laugh as she has in my life. It is actually exhilarating. It quite raises one's spirits,” with mild naïveté.     

       Euphemia began to brighten at once. She could talk about Dolly Crewe if she could talk about nothing else.     

       “Oh, but you have n't seen anything of her yet,” she said, in a burst of enthusiasm. “If you could only see her every day, as I do, and hear the witty things she says, and see how self-possessed she is, when other 

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