Page:Kickerbocker Feb 1833 vol 1 no 2.djvu/38

own, if your's fails. You will let me have the money that I want now?———

"On your promise"———

"Yes, I pledge myself—if it can be done by marriage and in no other way, I will marry—But must n't I dress? What o'clock is it?—You know I am to see her to-night."

"By St. George!—Yes; I had no idea it was so late—Make the most of yourself, Egerton—Good night"—

"I half envy him," said Mr. Lupin conceitedly, as he twitched his collar by the glass; "she's a sweet creature."

Odi profanum—Are you in good society, reader? Has your father left off? Do you know Mrs. ———? Do you dine with ———?—If not, then not for you do I unfold the sacred mysteries. Procul! O procul! este profani!

Upon the whole, however, I won't describe it—I could now—I am in the vein. There is a flush on my cheek!—Drops from Helicon are on my forehead!—A nervous agitation convulses my quill. The estro! The poetic rage! I feel the presence of Apollo and the Nine!—So kind in them to visit me in this sociable way; sitting all alone in my night-gown and slippers.———

Benoit was there, of course—a sensible man by-the-bye, Benoit!—Perhaps a little old-fashioned in his notions. He says, 'the Misses Benoit shall not waltz.'—But that 's foolish.—

Our hero and Mr. Lupin stand apart. He is pointed out to Fanny; she turns to look at him as on 'some bright particular star'—To her surprise his eye is upon her; of course she blushes—Poor girl, she had fallen into the clutches of ———; that indefatigable prowler after all the young débutantes.———

The cotillion is over—Mr. Egerton Winthrop advances. He gives Fanny an opportunity to observe and admire the ease and elegance of his manner; his careless but graceful accost; the brightening of eyes at his approach; the frequent endeavor to detain his attention—and then—taking Mr. Lupin's arm, he advances—no—yes—yes, ye gods! to her; and Mr. Lupin asks, 'permission to introduce his friend Mr. Egerton Winthrop.' Nor is that all. Shade of uncle Richard, the rich old tobacconist!—the spectre that had seemed to forbid her approach to the realms of fashion—he asks her to dance!—He asks her to dance!—She could but bow assent;—her gratitude was too deep for words—And then he leaves her to feel her happiness.———

He leads her to the dance.—New surprises!—He is so kind in his manner; so sociable; so chatty even. She had no idea she could feel so easy.