course of botany before they arrived at the drawing-room,—for two quadrilles and three waltzes were played while they stood on the stairs. As they entered, an opening in the figure of the dance gave a transient view of nearly the whole length of the apartments. It was a brilliant coup d'œil: mirrors, like the child's nursery-song, "up to the ceiling, and down to the ground," reflected an almost endless crowd—the graceful figures "in shining draperies enfolded," the gay wreaths round the heads of the young, the white waves of feathers on their seniors—the silver light from the moonlike lamps flashed back from bright gems and brighter eyes; the rich decorations—alabaster vases, their delicate tracery like the frost-work of winter filled with the flowers of summer—the sweep of the purple curtains—the gold mouldings, and a few beautiful pictures—while all terminated in a splendidly illuminated conservatory.
Emily had plenty of time to "sate herself with gazing,"—for Lady Alicia quietly seated herself on a sofa, and seemed to trust to fate about finding either hostess, or partner for her protégée, who at last began to think the mere spectator of pleasure ought to be a philosopher.
