tered the room, her cheek flushed with a very brilliant bloom, and looking, being attired in French gray satin, even younger than she did at the preceding ball. Varley really was, to do him justice, as much struck, with her beauty as he pretended to be; while turning away from Emma, and gazing on her grandmother, he theatrically exclaimed, "So doth the greater glory dim the less: "My dear grandmother," said Emma, running up to Mrs. Castlemain, "here is the most amusing person! I think him a little mad and "Mad! child!" she replied. "I see nothing amusing in madness, that climax of human misery. But where is he?" And Emma pointed Varley out to her, who who now rose in order to walk and show his fine person off, in hopes of charming as much as he was charmed "Oh! she doth hang upon the ear of night, Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear," he exclaimed, as, taking hold of his companion's arm, he lounged up and down the room after Emma and Mrs. Castle. main, looking at the latter languishingly through his half-closed eyes; while she, wholly unconscious of her own power, imagined those dying looks and those sighs were all aimed at Emma. Emma herself was of the same opinion; and though not remarkably vain, she also took to herself the "beautiful! charming creature!" which Varley occasionally uttered when behind them. And as the ladies when they turned round saw Varley using extravagant gesticulation, Mrs. Castlemain's opinion of his madness became a much P 2 a much more positive one than Emma's had been. Therefore, though she attributed his behaviour to admiration of Emma, she began to be seriously afraid of him. In early life, and when a young and beautiful heiress, Mrs. Castlemain had been excessively alarmed by a madman, who fell in love with her, and she was also in some danger from him. She therefore, naturally enough, feared for Emma the risk she had incurred herself; and when Emma said, "But if he were really insane, he would not be here," she with great propriety replied, "The gentleman who persecuted me was at large, and went to balls like other people: therefore, I really wish to go home directly; for you see the poor man never once takes his eyes off you, and his dress, his looks, and his manners are all proofs of a deranged mind." She then requested Mr. Mr. Egerton to call up the carriage directly. Mr. Egerton did so; and Emma began talking to sir Charles Maynard, who said, that in order to mortify her pride of youthful beauty, he must inform her that he had discovered the object of Varley's passion was not herself, but her grandmother, and that Mr. Egerton could tell her the same. While Emma was enjoying this information, and laughing with sir Charles, the carriage was announced; and Mrs. Castlemain desired Mr. Egerton to take Emma between him and sir Charles; "for indeed," said she in a low voice, "I do not like the looks of that young man." "That is very ungrateful in you, and very hard upon him," said Mr. Egerton smiling but pray, if we do as you bid us, who is to take care of you?" "Me! is you Me! I want no guard." There, madam, you are deceived. It who are the prize aimed at; you are the Hesperian fruit that requires a dragon to guard it." "I cannot understand you, Mr. Egerton; and as the horses are waiting," replied Mrs. Castlemain angrily, "I must beg you will take Emma, as I desired, and let us be gone." Mr. Egerton and sir Charles immediately bowed and obeyed, while Mrs. Castlemain, thinking herself quite secure on the shady side of fifty, feared not the fate of Proserpine for herself. When Varley saw her going, he exclaimed to his companion "I now do penance for contemning love, Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me, Oh! gentle Tomkins, Love's a mighty lord, And hath so humbled me, as I confess There is no woe to his correction, Nor |