AN AGREEABLE SURPRISE. 187 



which must have been delivered,, we suppose, with peculiar 

 clearness, as she did not, according to her usual custom, follow 

 it up by any further inquiry or comment. We soon afterwards 

 bid adieu to the insect community, and wended our way 

 homewards. 



F returned from London the same evening ; but, availing 

 ourselves of an old friend's freedom, we had retired to bed 

 before his arrival. 



Next morning ushered in the day, " the great, the important 

 day," of the fancy-ball neither " heavily ' ' nor " in clouds " 

 yet greatly did we fear that the pleasant sunshine which 

 greeted our opening eyes would be met with no answering 

 beams at the breakfast-table of our friends. 



How agreeably, therefore, were we surprised, when, on 

 entering the parlour, w T e at once perceived an expression of 

 more perfect serenity, on the countenances both of E - - and 

 his pretty wife, than had been worn by either since the day of 

 that confounded invitation. 



' ' Ah ! ' J thought we, " it's pretty plain how the matter is 

 ended; that wicked little fairy has wrought her charms for 

 something has carried her point and will carry HIM, her 

 willing captive, to the ball. What poor weak fools fond 

 husbands are ! Thank heaven that - - Well ! perhaps better 

 so than worse." 



Breakfast proceeded; chat in plenty; but not a syllable 

 about the fancy ball ; till bursting to know how the case, so 



