sort of conversation was fit for the best room and Lady Anne Granard's daughter. She began to talk of the opera, and it was the first step towards an acquaintance, when Louisa very naturally diverged to the theatre. But, between really kind and unaffected people, this sort of reserve cannot last, and Louisa was soon seated in the parlour window, and Mrs. Gooch helping her to make a set of collars; shopping, too—shopping! one of the pleasant necessities in a young lady's case who is about to change her condition, filled up the morning; and, a little before six, Charles Penrhyn's rap was as duly expected as Mr. Gooch's. The host and guest got on exceedingly well together, while Charles obtained much valuable in formation from Mr. Gooch's good sense and experience.
Louisa, who was conscious of her own awkward position, was sometimes a little vexed that, whenever morning visitors called, Charlotte would ask some question about her aunt the countess, and her uncle the earl, and make an arch allusion to the approach of a certain happy event; still, these were temporary annoyances, and she found the fortnight glide away in quiet and comfort, the more enjoyed from her recent persecution. Twice she wrote to her mother, who took not the least notice of her pleading and affectionate letters.
The only communication was a packet, forwarded to Miss Granard from her uncle. It may be doubted whe-
