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242
ROMANCE AND REALITY.

put down sorrow, but not till the lashes glistened with momentary brightness. But in youth, happiness deferred turns into hope. "I won't dance, and I'll sit near the door," thought Emily.

A sort of fatality attends resolutions—they are so very rarely kept. For the first time, whether it was from having been accustomed to see her dance lately, Lady Alicia bethought her Miss Arundel would like a partner. She also caught the particularly low bend of a Mr. Granville, and instantly introducing him to Emily, sunk back in her chair with an appearance of heroic exertion.

Mr. Granville was at present on sufferance in society—working his slow way, and trying to be useful and agreeable, in order that he might reach the proud pre-eminence of being neither. Who he was, was rather debateable ground—what he had, was more easily answered: he came out on the strength of his uncle's will. Some persons skate into society—others slide. Mr. Granville belonged to the latter class. He had an otto-of-rose smile, a low voice, large white hands, and a large white handkerchief. You could not be rude to him, for he took it as a personal compliment. To