138 A BALL ROOM, AND A BELLE. 



At tills instant Matuschevitz came up with Mary 

 Merton, who immediately took the arm of her partner. 

 But pertinacious Jardinier was not to be repulsed ; step- 

 ping forward again, " One turn with me. Miss Merton, 

 to make friends." 



"Pardon me, sir, Miss Merton is my partner ;" in- 

 terrupted the Virginian, whose hot blood was up by 

 this time. 



*' But I presume you do not compel the lady's in- 

 clinations — " 



" By no means, my Lord ; if they are with you, 

 you may have them volontiers.'' 



"Come Miss Merton. Don't you hear, he has 

 given you leave?" 



" I require no one's permission to beg you to leave 

 me at once, and never address me more. Sir Henry 

 Merton is not yet too infirm to protect me from your 

 Lordship's insolence ; though he was the brother in 

 arms of your Lordship's father, who was, I have heard 

 him say, a very brave and honorable sailor. Come, 

 Colonel Fairfax, one more turn with me if you please, 

 and then take me to Papa." 



The turn ended ; Mary was very grave and silent. 

 Fairfax was touched. 



" Miss Merton, I regret much — I trust you are not 

 • —angry with me — hurt I mean — " 



" Hush — no. Oh, no. Hush ! please don't speak 

 — here is papa — don't mention Charley to him. I'll — 

 I'll tell you when we meet again. Thanks, Colonel 

 Fairfax. Papa let me make you know Colonel Fair- 

 fax. He has been very good natured to me." 



" Happy to make your acquaintance. Colonel Fair- 

 fax," said the blufi", portly, gray-haired sailor, stretch- 

 ing out his hand. "Almost know you already, 

 Colonel. The duke, and Magher, and Goodricke, 

 have been telling me all about you, and your riding. 

 Well, Mary, have you got your shawl ? So Colonel, 



