hey weary me, and I
would much rather talk of balls.--What a funny figure Sir Asinus will
cut with that little creature--in reel or minuet!"

And Hoffland complimented his own conception with a laugh.

"I scarcely fancy he will go in his old dressing-gown," said Mowbray
with his sad smile; "that would be a poor compliment to his
Excellency, and the many beautiful dames who will meet him."

"Is it to be a large ball?"

"I believe so."

"And very gay?"

"No doubt."

"You escort Miss Lucy?"

"Yes."

"And do you anticipate much pleasure?"

"Can you ask me, Charles?"

"Why--I thought you might throw off--this feeling you have----"

"I cannot," Mowbray said, shaking his head; "time only can accomplish
that--not music, and gay forms, and laughter! Ah, Charles!" he added
with a deep and weary sigh, "you plainly know nothing of my feeling. I
cannot prevent myself from speaking of it--it makes me the merest boy;
and now I say that it is far too strong to be dispelled in any degree
by merriment. Mirth and joy and festive scenes obliterate some
annoyances--those vague disquietudes which oppress some persons; they
are scarcely a balm for sorrow, real sorrow."

Hoffland held down his head and sighed.

"I shall see her there to-night, I doubt not," Mowbray went on,
striving to preserve his calmness; "our glances will meet; her
satirical smile will rise to her lips, and she will turn away as
indifferently as if she had not cruelly and wantonly wounded a heart
which loves her truly--deeply. This I shall suffer--this I anticipate:
can you ask me then if I look forward to the ball with pleasure?"

Hoffland raised his head; his face was full of smiles.

"But suppose she does not look thus at you?" he said.

"I do not understand----"

"Suppose Philippa--was not that her name?--suppose she smiles when you
bow to her: for you will bow, won't you, Ernest?"

"Assuredly; but to reply to your question. I should know perfectly
well that her smile was the untrue manoeuvre of a coquette. Ah!
Charles! Charles! may you never know what it is to see a false smile
in woman--cold and chilling--the glitter of sunlight upon snow. It is
worse than frowns!"

"Ernest, you are a strange person," said Hoffland; "you seem
determined to misjudge this young girl, who is not as bad as you think
her, my life upon it! So, frown or smile, you are determined to hate
her?"

"I do not hate her! Would to Heaven I could get as far from love for