252 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



difficult to cry " Hurrah ! " and impossible to clap 

 one's hands when busily engaged in adjusting a 

 lorgnette — and that was almost instantly the occupa- 

 tion of the fairer section of the audience. Mrs. 

 Chamberlain was apparently armed against this 

 universal scrutiny by her own sense of admiration 

 for the bright scene before her. That, and the 

 unmistakable cordiality of the applause, combined 

 to heighten the fresh colour of her cheeks, and to 

 bring to her face a singularly pleasing smile. She 

 was dressed with much simplicity and taste in a robe 

 of pale-pink corded silk, with a plain body and 

 festooned skirt. The dress was set off with a bow 

 of satin ribbon of the same colour, worn on the 

 right shoulder ; and for ornaments she wore upon 

 a close coiffure a crescent of sapphires and diamonds, 

 upon the left breast a diamond star, and round the 

 neck a string of diamonds. The party, of which 

 she was chiefly the centre of interest, advanced up 

 the hall through a lane of gazers, and stood for a few 

 moments facing the assembly beneath the orchestra. 

 The pause gave opportunity for an interesting little 

 ceremony, the presentation by a young lady, the 

 daughter of Dr. Hallwright, of a very pretty bouquet 

 to Mrs. Chamberlain. The cheering broke out 

 afresh, and with affirmed emphasis, when they 

 moved towards the committee-room for the purpose 

 of ascending to their places. Upon the orchestra 

 Lady Mandeville sat next to Mrs. Chamberlain on 

 Mr. Chamberlain's right, and beyond her ladyship 

 came Miss Chamberlain and the Misses Chamber- 

 lain. Upon the left were Mrs. Stringer, Alderman 



