154 HORATIO SPARKINS. 



on their entrance into the ball-room, was the interesting Horatio, 

 with his hair brushed off his forehead, and his eyes fixed on the 

 ceiling, reclining in a contemplative attitude on one of the seats. 



" There he is, my dear," anxiously whispered Mrs. Malderton to 

 Mr. Malderton. 



" How like Lord Byron !" murmured Miss Teresa. 



" Or Montgomery !" whispered Miss Marianne. 



" Or the portraits of Captain Ross !" suggested Tom. 



" Tom don't be an ass," said his father, who checked him upon 

 all occasions, probably with a view to prevent his becoming " sharp" 

 which, by-the-by, was very unnecessary. 



The elegant Sparkins attitudinized with admirable effect until the 

 family had crossed the room. He then started up with the most 

 natural appearance of surprise and delight : accosted Mrs. Malderton 

 with the utmost cordiality, saluted the young ladies in the most en- 

 chanting manner ; bowed to, and shook hands with Mr. Malderton, 

 with a degree of respect amouming almost to veneration, and re- 

 turned the greetings of the two young men in a half-gratified, half- 

 patronizing manner, which fully convinced them that he must be 

 an important and, at the same time, condescending personage. 



" Miss Malderton," said Horatio, after the ordinary salutations, 

 and bowing very low, " may I be permitted to presume to hope that 

 you will allow me to have the pleasure " 



" I don't think I am engaged," said Miss Teresa, with a dreadful 

 affectation of indifference " but, really so many " 



Horatio looked as handsomely miserable as a Hamlet sliding upon 

 a bit of orange-peel. 



" I shall be most happy," simpered the interesting Teresa, at last ; 

 and Horatio's countenance brightened up like an old hat in a shov/er 

 of rain. 



<f A very genteel young man, certainly !" said the gratified Mr. 

 Malderton, as the obsequious Sparkins and his partner joined the 

 quadrille which was just forming. 



" He has a remarkably good address," said Mr. Frederick. 



<c Yes, he is a prime fellow," interposed Tom; who always 

 managed to put his foot in it " he talks just like an auctioneer." 



" Tom !" said his father, " I think I desired you before not to be a 

 fool." Tom looked as happy as a cock on a drizzly morning. 



" How delightful !" said the interesting Horatio to his partner, as 

 they promenaded the room at the conclusion of the set " how de- 

 lightful, how refreshing it is, to retire from the cloudy storms, the 

 vicissitudes, and the troubles of life, even if it be but for a few short, 

 fleeting moments ; and to spend those moments, fading and evanes- 

 cent though they be, in the delightful, the blessed society of one 

 individual of her whose frowns would be death, whose coldness 

 would be madness, whose falsehood would be ruin, whose constancy 

 would be bliss ; the possession of whose affection would be the 

 brightest and best reward that heaven could bestow on man." 



" What feeling ! what sentiment !" thought Miss Teresa, as she 

 leaned more heavily upon her companion's arm. 



" But enough enough," resumed the elegant Sparkins, with a 

 theatrical air. " What have I said ? what have I I to do with 



