dressing could no longer be put off, and we all
began to adorn our persons. Washing took a
long time. There was some anxiety about the
"extra superfine" jacket, which did not arrive
until five ; for though we had confidence in the
brave artificer, it did seem, in his own dialect,
running it "extra superfine." The expresses sent
to him twice, returned, with reassuring messages
that we might " leave all to him." It came,
after mental agony. I was now told that
now indeed was the acceptable moment to cast
off the old boy of sin, and become, as it were, a
citizen — getting on to be a man. At such a
momentous juncture (I was informed) the eyes of
the public would naturally be directed to a person
who wore a beautiful blue jacket and jean
other garments ; in the case of crime or irregularity
the striking characters of such a costume
would attract all eyes and fatally betray me.

Dinner—who cared for that? It was got
out of the way, which was all that was desired.
And now John comes with word that the carriage
is at the door. Oh, agitating journey! Oh,
delicious passage! On the box-seat I could
give my burning soul to the wind, and commune
with the sea-shore along which we journeyed
for a mile or two. I rehearsed some carefully
prepared speeches which were to enchain
her; only when I thought of the fascinating
promise, and conjured up her image, even
that imagination made my voice falter and
chased away the artful compliment.

Here was Tritonville Gate, and over the wall,
as we came up, I could see the two bow windows
all ablaze. Faintly to our ears was borne the
hum of a musical instrument, playing for
dancing, as I thought; but no, for there was
something like a shout, as of a mariner giving
a cry for aid, and I told the coachman " that
was Mr. Cobbe" singing. A private 'cab drew
away from the bottom of the steps, and two
lovely women, all muslin, ascended. I saw the
shadows of backs upon the window-blinds,
moving grotesquely. It was almost my first party.

The hall was crowded, and blocked up with
a heap of hats, cloaks, coats, and umbrellas
even — some one affecting to attach and give
numbers, but that form was soon abandoned.
A gentleman and lady were sitting on hall chairs,
"flirting," I was told. Through the drawing-
room door, we saw figures and more backs, and
animated faces, and a small lady with a fan,
who tried to get her hand out. Mrs. Burkenshaw.
I struggled with my agitation. I was burning
to see the divinity who was consuming
my soul. They were making a space in the middle
of the small room, and Mr. Wicks, who played
at these suburban parties, tuned pianos, and gave
lessons or would have given lessons had he
ever been asked — now hung out a little placard,
"QUADRILLE." Where was she?

There! A perfect blaze of golden amber
glistening silk, with black lace; never did she
look so peerless, as she came to the very top'
of the quadrille, queen-like, but all engrossed
with her partner—a stout man with a terrier
dog face and a white waistcoat, a jocular beast,
who was laughing a great deal, and made her
laugh. Something chilled me as I looked on,
and I had not the heart to go up; and now
Wicks struck up with a thrum, thrum, thrum,
playing as much with his head, nose, and
spectacles, as with his hands, and they all began.

There were many suburbans there—ladies in
turbans—fat men — who all seemed (to me)
aglow with happiness. I shrank into a corner—
very " down" — whence I was presently fetched
out and told not to be " glum." But as I was
being led off, I felt a hand on my arm, and a
voice in my ear, that made me start: "My
beau! And never to come near me! Well, Mr.
Sidney!"

The flashing face was stooping down to mine.
I was tugging at the fingers of my gloves.
A voice emanated from the terrier man. " Lord
bless me, they're waiting for us! It's our
turn, you know!"

"Oh, they must wait. I want to introduce
you, Captain Bulstock, to this gentleman. Mr.
Sidney, Captain Bulstock!" This officer looked
down on me haughtily, while I looked at him
sulkily. We did not like each other. " He is
my beau, Captain Bulstock — are you not, Sidney?
— and I shall expect you to come and ask
me to dance."

"Dance with him" I heard Bulstock say,
contemptuously.

I watched her all through the quadrille;
she seemed to move melodiously, gliding, as
it were, on wheels. She moved in a golden
cloud; in the distance the bright animated face
seemed illuminated from within; a thousand
divine lights seemed to play there. She looked
so happy and animated, and, alas! so
unconscious of me, that I felt sore at heart.
The captain, whom I hated, seemed happy.

Ices were going about, together with little
glasses of negus and lemonade, borne on trays
in rows of a dozen or so, over men's heads.
(When I say men's, I mean my own and others
of my standing.) They were assailed, the bearers
were stopped, the trays were drawn down at
the corner, just as a convoy would be pillaged
on the road. Wicks had a private glass and a
private bottle of sherry at his feet—I found it
out—to impart vigour when he flagged.

A fresh blow fell upon me during that quadrille.
There was confusion at the door, Mrs.
Burkenshaw clutching at her husband in agitation,
and dragging him towards it. Visitors of
distinction were coming in—" some of the nobs,"
a local gentleman remarked. Nobs, indeed,
and fatal nobs, our special Rocks-ahead now
entering — the Goodmans, father, mother, and
two virtuous youths! Was this the end? Was
this the draught of nectar, to which I had
looked forward? I saw the maternal eye—
one maternal eye—resting uneasily on their
costume, which was magnificent. The elder had a
gold watch and chain, as I learned later, the
reward for successful "eemewlation." I saw the
proud father take the eldest about, introducing
him to ladies. "Show your new watch, sir.
That, ma'am, he won fairly—a reward for