dication of modesty.

Lady Kew had met Colonel Newcome a half-dozen times at her daughter's
house: but on this occasion she had quite forgotten him, for when
the Colonel made her a bow, her ladyship regarded him steadily, and
beckoning her daughter to her, asked who the gentleman was who has just
kissed Ethel? Trembling as she always did before her mother, Lady Anne
explained. Lady Kew said "Oh!" and left Colonel Newcome blushing and
rather embarrasse de sa personne--before her.

With the clapping of hands that greeted Clive's arrival, the Countess
was by no means more good-humoured. Not aware of her wrath, the young
fellow, who had also previously been presented to her, came forward
presently to make her his compliments. "Pray, who are you?" she said,
looking at him very earnestly in the face. He told her his name.

"Hm," said Lady Kew, "I have heard of you, and I have heard very little
good of you."

"Will your ladyship please to give me your informant?" cried out Colonel
Newcome.

Barnes Newcome, who had condescended to attend his sister's little fete,
and had been languidly watching the frolics of the young people, looked
very much alarmed.

CHAPTER XXI. Is Sentimental, but Short

Without wishing to disparage the youth of other nations, I think a
well-bred English lad has this advantage over them, that his bearing is
commonly more modest than theirs. He does not assume the tail-coat and
the manners of manhood too early: he holds his tongue, and listens to
his elders: his mind blushes as well as his cheeks: he does not know
how to make bows and pay compliments like the young Frenchman: nor to
contradict his seniors as I am informed American striplings do. Boys,
who learn nothing else at our public schools, learn at least good
manners, or what we consider to be such; and with regard to the
person at present under consideration, it is certain that all his
acquaintances, excepting perhaps his dear cousin Barnes Newcome, agreed
in considering him as a very frank, manly, modest, and agreeable young
fellow.--My friend Warrington found a grim pleasure in his company; and
his bright face, droll humour, and kindly laughter were always welcome
in our chambers. Honest Fred Bayham was charmed to be in his society;
and used pathetically to aver that he himself might have been such a
youth, had he been blest with a kind father to watch, and good friends
to guide, his early career. In fact, Fred was by far the most