70 
THE SEA-SERPENT. 
have of late years held together, had no such 
place as Newport beeya. Well, all was here in 
great confusion ; and beaux and belles and fond 
mammas had made some matches whose conclu¬ 
sion was sure, provided dear papa’s consent, and 
cash, and blessing granted, should give the bliss 
for which they panted. The ball would soon 
take place, and that of course filled all the 
morning chat ; the sail, the dance, the dashing 
ride, were half forgotten, while with pride each 
belle within her own dear room dons veil and 
jacket, cap and plume, and doubts, and doubts, 
and doubts again, about that costume and this 
train, and wonders if she cannot get something 
that’s more distingue yet. She who would never 
u be a nun” decides that evening to be one, 
and win that beau, if she can win him, who 
has such life and small talk in him. Bohemian 
girls, and gypsies too, were every entry dashing 
through to ask a lady or mamma about this jewel 
or that star. Down stairs, just then, those vet¬ 
eran smokers forgot to smoke ; while George 
