ll catchings and carpings for the
present. Pray take your seat on this stool whilst I go and announce to
Miss Isopel Berners your arrival."

Thereupon I went to Belle's habitation, and informed her that Mr. and
Mrs. Petulengro had paid us a visit of ceremony, and were awaiting her at
the fire-place. "Pray go and tell them that I am busy," said Belle, who
was engaged with her needle. "I do not feel disposed to take part in any
such nonsense." "I shall do no such thing," said I, "and I insist upon
your coming forthwith, and showing proper courtesy to your visitors. If
you do not their feelings will be hurt, and you are aware that I cannot
bear that people's feelings should be outraged. Come this moment, or"
. . . "Or what?" said Belle, half smiling. "I was about to say something
in Armenian," said I. "Well," said Belle, laying down her work, "I will
come." "Stay," said I, "your hair is hanging about your ears, and your
dress is in disorder; you had better stay a minute or two to prepare
yourself to appear before your visitors, who have come in their very best
attire." "No," said Belle, "I will make no alteration in my appearance;
you told me to come this moment, and you shall be obeyed."

So Belle and I advanced towards our guests. As we drew nigh Mr.
Petulengro took off his hat and made a profound obeisance to Belle,
whilst Mrs. Petulengro rose from the stool and made a profound curtsey.
Belle, who had flung her hair back over her shoulders, returned their
salutations by bending her head, and after slightly glancing at Mr.
Petulengro, fixed her large blue eyes full upon his wife. Both these
females were very handsome--but how unlike! Belle fair, with blue eyes
and flaxen hair; Mrs. Petulengro with olive complexion, eyes black, and
hair dark--as dark could be. Belle, in demeanour calm and proud; the
gypsy graceful, but full of movement and agitation. And then how
different were those two in stature! The head of the Romany rawnie
scarcely ascended to the breast of Isopel Berners. I could see that Mrs.
Petulengro gazed on Belle with unmixed admiration: so did her husband.
"Well," said the latter, "one thing I will say, which is, that there is
only one on earth worthy to stand up in front of this she, and that is
the beauty of the world, as far as man flesh is concerned, Tawno Chikno;
what a pity he did not come down!"

"Tawno Chikno," said Mrs. Petulengro, flaring up; "a pretty fellow he to
stand up in fr