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scarcely a soul could get a seat;—some of the company must stand upon the stairs;—"O charming!"—"O delightful!"—was echoed from mouth to mouth; and the motion in favour of Miss Sycamore was adopted by acclamation.
Ellis now, perceiving that the party was breaking up, advanced to Miss Arbe, and earnestly requested to be heard; but Miss Arbe, looking as if she did not know, and was too busy to enquire what this meant, protested herself quite bewildered with the variety of matters which she had to arrange; and, shaking hands with Miss Sycamore, was hurrying away, when the words "Must I address myself, then, Madam, to Lady Aurora!" startled her, and she impatiently answered, "By no means! Lady Aurora has put the money into my hands, and I have disposed of it to the very best advantage."
"Disposed of it——I hope not!—I hope—I trust—that, knowing the ge-
