hat--Mr. Avenel describes justly
as the surprise of the moment, were betrayed into an unseemly merriment
at--at--[the dean's lady whispered 'some of the']--some of the--some of
the--" repeated Sir Compton, puzzled, and coming to a deadlock ["holiest
sentiments," whispered the dean's lady]--"ay, some of the holiest
sentiments in our nature, I beg him to accept our sincerest apologies.
I can only say, for my part, that I am proud to rank Mr. Avenel amongst
the gentlemen of the county" (here Sir Compton gave a sounding thump
on the table), "and to thank him for one of the most brilliant
entertainments it has ever been my lot to witness. If he won his fortune
honestly, he knows how to spend it nobly."

Whiz went a fresh bottle of champagne.

"I am not accustomed to public speaking, but I could not repress my
sentiments. And I've now only to propose to you the health of our host.
Richard Avenel, Esquire; and to couple with that the health of his--very
interesting sister, and long life to them both."

The sentence was half drowned in enthusiastic plaudits, and in three
cheers for Richard Avenel, Esquire, and his very interesting sister.

"I'm a cursed humbug," thought Richard Avenel, as he wiped his
forehead; "but the world is such a humbug!" Then he glanced towards Mrs.
M'Catehley and, to his great satisfaction, saw Mrs. M'Catchley with her
handkerchief before her eyes.

Truth must be told; although the fair widow might certainly have
contemplated the probability of accepting Mr. Avenel as a husband, she
had never before felt the least bit in love with him; and now she did.
There is something in courage and candour--in a word, in manliness--that
all women, the most worldly, do admire in men; and Richard Avenel,
humbug though his conscience said he was, seemed to Mrs. M'Catchley like
a hero.

The host saw his triumph. "Now for another dance!" said he, gayly; and
he was about to offer his hand to Mrs. M'Catchley, when Sir Compton
Delaval seizing it, and giving it a hearty shake, cried, "You have not
yet danced with my eldest daughter; so if you'll not ask her, why, I
must offer her to you as your partner. Here, Sarah."

Miss Sarah Delaval, who was five feet eight, and as stately as she was
tall, bowed her head graciously; and Mr. Avenel, before he knew where
he was, found her leaning on his arm. But as he passed into the next
division of the tent, he had to run the gauntlet of all the gentlemen,
who thronged round to s