ode of dress, or the grimaces of those that
call themselves fashionable people. Nor do I ever see Master Mash or
Compton without thinking of the lion's skin, and expecting every moment
to hear them bray."

Harry laughed very heartily at this story; but now their attention was
called towards the company, who had ranged themselves by pairs for
country-dancing. Miss Simmons, who was very fond of this exercise, then
asked Harry if he had never practised any of these dances. Harry said,
"it had happened to him three or four times at home, and that he
believed he should not be puzzled about any of the figures." "Well,
then," said the young lady, "to show how little I regard their intended
mortification, I will stand up and you shall be my partner." So they
rose and placed themselves at the bottom of the whole company according
to the laws of dancing, which appoint that place for those who come
last.

And now the music began to strike up in a more joyous strain; the little
dancers exerted themselves with all their activity, and the exercise
diffused a glow of health and cheerfulness over the faces of the most
pale and languid. Harry exerted himself here with much better success
than he had lately done in the minuet. He had great command over all his
limbs, and was very well versed in every play that gives address to the
body, so that he found no difficulty in practising all the varied
figures of the dances, particularly with the assistance of Miss Simmons,
who explained to him everything that appeared embarrassing.

But now, by the continuance of the dance, all who were at first at the
upper end had descended to the bottom, where, by the laws of the
diversion, they ought to have waited quietly till their companions,
becoming in their turn uppermost, had danced down to their former
places. But when Miss Simmons and Harry expected to have had their just
share of the exercise, they found that almost all their companions had
deserted them and retired to their places. Harry could not help
wondering at this behaviour; but Miss Simmons told him with a smile,
that it was only of a piece with the rest, and she had often remarked it
at country assemblies, where all the gentry of a county were gathered
together. "This is frequently the way," added she, "that those who think
themselves superior to the rest of the world choose to show their
importance." "This is a very bad way indeed," replied Harry; "people may
choose whether they will