for a moment, however. She wished that Mr. Burleigh
would leave his country manners at home, and ascribing Bessie's shy
irritation to alarmed modesty, introduced a pleasant subject to divert
her thoughts.

"Is there to be a ball at Brentwood or no ball, Miss Fairfax?" said she
with amiable suggestion. "I think there was something mooted about a
ball if my nephew won his election, was there not?"

What could Bessie do but feel appeased, and brighten charmingly?--"Oh,
we shall dance for joy if you give us one; but if you don't think we
deserve it--" said she.

"Oh, as for your deserts--Well, Mary, we must have the dance for joy.
Cecil wishes it, and so, I suppose, do you all," said her ladyship with
comprehensive affability. Mr. Burleigh nodded at Bessie, as much as to
say that nothing could be refused her.

Bessie blushed again. She loved a little pleasure, and a ball, a real
ball--Oh, paradise! And Mr. Cecil Burleigh coming in at the moment she
forgot her proper reticent demeanor, and made haste to announce to him
the delight that was in prospect. He quite entered into her humor, and
availed himself of the moment to bespeak her as his partner to open the
ball.

It was settled that she should stay at Brentwood to help in the
preparations for it, and her grandfather left her there extremely
contented. Cards of invitation were sent out indiscriminately to blue
and orange people of quality; carpenters and decorators came on the
scene, and were busy for a week in a large empty room, converting it and
making it beautiful. The officers of the cavalry regiment stationed at
Norminster were asked, and offered the services of their band. Miss
Jocund and her rivals were busy morning, noon, and night in the
construction of aerial dresses, and all the young ladies who were bidden
to the dance fell into great enthusiasm when it was currently reported
that the new member, who was so handsome and so wonderfully clever, was
almost, if not quite, engaged to be married to that pretty, nice Miss
Fairfax, with whom they were all beginning to be more or less
acquainted.

Mr. Fairfax did not return to Brentwood until the day of the dance. Lady
Angleby was anxious that it should be the occasion of bringing her
nephew's courtship to a climax, and she gave reasons for the expediency
of having the whole affair carried through to a conclusion without
unnecessary delays. Sir Edward Lucas had been intrusive this last week,
and Miss Fairfax t