CHAPTER II.

"At Court, every one for himself."

PROVERB.

LADY RAVENSDEN was all anxiety about my presentation, thinking far more upon the subject than I did myself.

It had been arranged that she was to present Leila Compton at the same time, and this pleased me greatly.

There was a grand discussion on the important point of dress, in which we were assisted by some "Madame," a milliner of astonishing taste, and more astonishing presumption, to whom Leila listened with deferential gravity, but caricatured capitally afterwards; whilst I decided the matter in peremptory style-desiring the woman to make me a robe of purest

whiteness, and adorn it with Mexican lilies those truly glorious flowers, which I so love. "Mais! if Mademoiselle will permit me to tink."

"Oh! you may think as much as you like about the minor details; but that is to be the general effect."

“Oui — oui—dee general 'fect' superbemagnifique-dee whiteness éblouissant, and the flowers, gor-gorgeeous, c'est bien, Mademoiselle."

We went-we endured the push and the scramble, the stifle and the crush of both passage and stairs, and by the time I reached the royal presence, I was so exhausted as scarcely to be able to stand; and felt "not fit to be seen;" my dress was in rags-its purity sullied-its carefully disposed ornaments crumpled. My arms were scratched as if I had had an encounter with cats on the way, and to add to my discomfort, the dreadful apprehension took possession of me, that "my back hair was coming down." However, seeing others in as bad a plight as myself, gave me courage, and considering all things. I bore it philosophically-this was as well, for on leav

ing the vicinage of royalty, I happened to perceive the eyes of my guardian (who held some office about the court), fixed upon me in a very anxious manner, as if he were curious to see how I should comport myself on the occasion.

As to my companions, Leila attracted greatly by her extreme loveliness which was unimpaired, either by fatigue or exertion; and was infinitely amused at the difficulties we had to encounter; and the old lady was too much accustomed to similar scenes, to think anything of the present; she made her way famously, not hesitating upon doing "acts of violence," which it would have horrified me to commit.

I noticed also that Mrs. Dashington (of whom I caught a peep in the distance), though usually so delicate as scarcely to be able to stand-who always carried a smelling bottle with her lest she should faint-and invariably was taken out of church if the sermon were long, or the heat oppressive-was able not only to stand, and to bear the suffocating warmth, but to battle away manfully-laying about her right and left, pushing her way-squeezing and pressing, regardless of anybody.

I became so ill when, the grand performance over, we were making our way out, that I think I should have fallen, had I not suddenly found myself supported by a manly arm. At first, I thought it was my guardian, who had come to the rescue; but what was my surprise-my tremulous joy-yes-joy (it must be confessed) to find that it was the arm of Mr. Grey on which I was leaning.

Some of the old look came back again as our eyes met, and I felt inclined to be quite happy; but it was only for a moment, the next I felt strangely agitated and fearful.

I endeavoured to attract the attention of my friends, but Leila was engaged in a flirtation with a handsome young gentleman, and the dowager was carrying on something similar with two or three old ones.

Meanwhile my companion and I were silent, all that passed at least, was an inquiry on his part if I felt better, to which I remember I gave a nervous, trembling answer.

It was strange, I had so wished to speak to him, if only for a moment, yet now that the opportunity offered, I could not embrace it.

At length my awkward position was bettered

by my flirting friends growing tired of their occupation and turning to me.

"Shall I introduce you to Lady Ravensden ?" I ventured to say.

"If you wish it," he answered carelessly. "I shall be very happy to be introduced to her ladyship."

I presented him to my chaperon, who as she afterwards said many times, “took a great fancy to the young man," and as was always the case with her, did not hesitate to show her preference; she asked him to give her his arm to the carriage, and when seated therein, told him she hoped to have the pleasure of seeing him in Hertford Street.

'Will he

I thought it so kind of her. come ?" was the thought that followed. I had misgivings upon the point.

Some one else came, however, Lord D'Arville. "Well, Isola," he exclaimed with some cordiality, "I must congratulate you on having made your débût, and got through it very well considering: much better than I expected; for, to be candid, I had my doubts upon the subject beforehand; but I must say that, for a wonder, you didn't blush or-”