heaven's sake lend me some books: have you any novels? you are I know an immense reader, and therefore you will pity me, when I declare to you that I have not touched a page this fortnight." "I believe," replied Lady Rosamond rather coolly," my reading, and your Ladyship's, are not exactly similar." "Oh "Oh yes, I am sure I shall like your books, I very seldom read one through, just look at what is new, and miss all the rest, for three fourths of them are alike." "Is Lady Louisa Delany turning critic," said Mr. Fletcher, "how must the poor wretches of authors tremble, when they hear of the fiery ordeal through which they will have to pass." "Oh you severe creature," rejoined the lady, "I am sure you mean to laugh at me, do not you think he does?" turning to Henry, who replied very gravely, "He can only then mean to declare himself ignorant of your ladyship's well known information and taste.” Lady Laura was delighted, and her vanity prompted prompted her to regard as true the speeches, which her conscience told her, could only be uttered in ridicule. She resolved however to secure the literary reputation, that she fancied she was acquiring; but unfortunately silence would have befriended her more in her design, than did the torrent of nonsense which she poured forth. "Well I dare say you only want to flatter me, but I confess I am naturally of a retired turn, and perhaps too much addicted to study." "Your Ladyship's merit is then undoubtedly very great," replied Mr. Fletcher, "for in good nature to the follies of the world, you hide your inclinations so admirably, that many would be unjust enough to suppose you highly gratified, by the trifling amusements, which your superior attainments, must in reality teach you to despise." "Oh yes," exclaimed the literary fair one, "as Shakespeare says so charmingly, 'An elegant retirement, books and friends, our chain, our fates, our fortunes and 66 and our beings blend! oh I am very fond of pretty verses, do not you like poetry?" again addressing herself to Henry, who replied. Poetry, I adore it! I would never speak in prose, but, from the fear of being singular, poetry is the language of the soul, the vehicle for truth. "Love I feel thy rapturous pow'r Thine is all the present hour, "Oh you naughty man, I must not hear you talk such nonsense," cried the fasionable Lady Laura, at the same time tapping him with her fan, and looking down, after vainly endeavouring to blush; she then assumed a tender embarrassed air, but unfortunately it was lost on Lord Courtney, who had already turned from her, to pay his compliments to some other females females equally fashionable, and well informed with her ladyship. Disappointed by his departure she began to pay Edmund some attention, and as his face and figure were too striking to be slightly passed over, she inquired of Lady Rosamond in an audible whisper, who he was, and when her curiosity in that particular was gratified, she in a whisper yet more audible, exclaimed. "He is a very handsome fellow, what prodigious fine eyes!” Shall we acknowledge, that even the lords of the creation are not entirely exempt from the failing yclep'd vanity, of which they so liberally accuse the weaker vessels? shall we acknowledge that this failing in Edmund was gratified for the moment, even by a compliment paid with so little delicacy, and by so frivolous an object? Alas! we must unwillingly confess it, and if our male readers be mortified by the discovery, they must blame human nature, and not its humble delineators. Though Edmuud undoubtedly felt a tem porary `porary sensation of pleasure, yet he blushed at having it excited by one of whose abilities, and even delicacy, he had not conceived a high opinion from the conversation, in which he had overheard her engaged. The blush however was not unnoticed by the lady, who drew her own conclusions from it, and resolved to try the utmost strength of her charms, on the unexperienced heart of the young foreigner. She commenced the attack, by requesting him to help her to some sweetmeats, and the difficulty of fixing her choice, and her whimsical rejection or acceptance of them, introduced all the trifling, which in genteel society is considered ready conversation; and all the pert gaiety which is mistaken for wit. However she contrived to keep him by her, until the dancing was resumed, and then as he was an entire stranger to the major part of the ladies, he thought that he could not do better, than request the honor of her hand, Dancing |