prize poem ever heard at Oxford. He firmly believed
Norman a much greater lion than himself.

Norman was forced to leave his friendly corner to dispose of the glass
of his ice, and thus encountered Miss Rivers, of whom Sir Henry was
asking questions about a beautiful collection of cameos, which Flora had
laid out as a company trap.

"Here is Norman May," said Meta; "he knows them better than I do. Do you
remember which of these is the head of Diana, Norman?"

Having set the two gentlemen to discuss them, she glided away on fresh
hospitable duties, while Norman repeated the comments that he had so
enjoyed hearing from poor Mr. Rivers, hoping he was, at least, sparing
Meta some pain, and wondering that Flora should have risked hurting her
feelings by exposing these treasures to the general gaze.

If Norman were wearied by Sir Henry, it was his own fault, for the
baronet was a very agreeable person, who thought a first-class man worth
cultivation, so that the last half-hour might have compensated for all
the rest, if conversation were always the test.

"Why, Meta," cried Harry, coming up to her, "you have not once danced!
We are a sort of brother and sister, to be sure, but that is no
hindrance, is it?"

"No," said Meta, smiling, "thank you, Harry, but you must find some one
more worthy. I do not dance this season; at least, not in public. When
we get home, who knows what we may do?"

"You don't dance! Poor little Meta! And you don't go out! What a pity!"

"I had rather not work quite so hard," said Meta. "Think what good
fortune I had by staying at home last night!"

"I declare!" exclaimed Harry, bewitched by the beaming congratulation
of her look, "I can't imagine why Norman had said you had turned into a
fine lady! I can't see a bit of it!"

"Norman said I had turned into a fine lady!" repeated Meta. "Why?"

"Never mind! I don't think so; you are just like papa's humming-bird, as
you always were, not a bit more of a fine lady than any girl here, and I
am sure papa would say so. Only old June had got a bad headache, and is
in one of his old dumps, such as I hoped he had left off. But he can't
help it, poor fellow, and he will come out of it, by and by--so never
mind. Hallo! why people are going away already. There's that girl
without any one to hand her downstairs."

Away ran Harry, and presently the brothers and sisters gathered round
the fire--George declaring that he was glad that nuisance was so well
o