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208
ROMANCE AND REALITY.

sidered quite so insipid—nor was our young lady quite so philosophical as she had been; she owned, that now town was full it was very delightful; and mentioned casually, in a postscript, that Mr. Lorraine was a great acquisition to their circle.

No one can deny Lady Charlotte Bury's assertion, that no well-regulated young female will ever indulge in a species of amusement so improper as flirtation; but it must be admitted, that having a pleasant partner is preferable to not dancing, and that a little persiflage, a little raillery, a little flattery, go far to make a partner pleasant. We are afraid these three parts only want a fourth—sentiment—to make up what is called flirtation,—at least, the Misses Fergusson pronounced that Miss Arundel flirted shamefully with Mr. Lorraine. This was said one evening when, after having waltzed—animated at once by pleasure and a desire to please—with the grace of a Greek nymph (or, at least, our idea of one) and the ear of a nightingale (we take it for granted that a nightingale's ear for time must be exquisite)—she sat down with Edward on a vacant window-seat.

"Love," thought Lady Mandeville to herself,