21 



THE TWO MONUMEMS. 



I was visiting at the seat of my friend C 's a few years ago, 



during the shooting season, at the same time as my old college chum 

 Harry Mordant, and during our stay a hall was to he given at the 

 neighbouring town, all the elite of the county were expected to 

 attend and many were the hearts that heat quickly when the con- 

 versation turned upon the coming assembly ; great was the request 

 for milliners, dress-makers, tailors, and the many other important 

 personages usually in demand on such occasions. The time drew 

 near— it wanted but a week ; yet some tliought even that a long 

 time to wait ; those were such as had little or no preparation to 

 make. Others thought it sadly too near; those, of course, had all 

 to provide. Time, however, passed on. The eventful night 

 arrived ; and I, with two or three friends, by ten o'clock were 

 entering the ball-room. It was a large and lofty building, bril- 

 liantly lighted by many chandeliers, whose sparkling brightness 

 dazzled the eyes on first entering, which, together with the gay and 

 waving plumes of the ladies, produced a scene far more animating 

 than I expected to find, while the spirit-stirring music made it still 

 more exciting. All seemed gay in that large assembly. The com- 

 pany were variously employed ; some promenading, some collected 

 in groups in various parts of the room ; others going through the 

 ceremony of introduction ; the second was the case with us. We, 

 like many more solitary bachelors, were collected in a comer 

 examming the company as they came in. Various were the com- 

 ments made on parties as they passed in review before us. 



"Now for the belle of the evening," said C , as an elderly 



gentleman entered, having J)y his side a young lady of about three 

 and twenty years of age. 



" Which ? which ?" cried Harry Mordant ; " the lady in blue 

 with dark hair ? 



" Yes," returned C , ***that is her ; it is the Lady Caroline 



Vane, of whom you have often heard, I dare say." 



" So I have," said Harry ; " and as I am wife-hunting, you must 



introduce me at any rate." What reply C made I did not 



hear; for at that moment the M.C. came up to announce the first 

 quadrille, and each went his wayio seek his partner for the dance. 



