ing to her, and putting aside some of the redundant curls that floated on her snowy forehead," have, I understand, been casting loose the chains of your captives also, without consulting me. We must have a reform in this department of administration; I consider myself entitled to some (perhaps my daughters may think) obsolete privileges in the way of patronage, which, however, I do not mean entirely to waive.---There now, fly and dress yourselves, or you will be late."

Both the girls having risen from their seats at the word "fly," hesitated, and approached their father, as if they had wished to say, that they were not quite so undutiful as he imagined. Lord L. seemed to comprehend the manner; for he put an arm round each, and kissed the forehead of each.

CHAPTER XII,

"And wheels were rolling, and lights were passing,
And cheeks, that should have been on soft pillows
Lying, were reflected in deep mirrors;

Where locks were braiding, and gems arranging,
And plumes were waving, for the coming day."

By the time the sisters had completed the task of adorning, the whole house was one blaze of light and decoration.

They walked through the yet vacant apartments, almost lost in the universal brightness. They were soon joined by Lord L. On arrivals commencing, he gave to each an arm,

and stood with them near the entrance of the first of the suit of rooms destined for the

reception of company.

Crowds poured in. Lord L. felt not a little of the most amiable, and most pardonable species of pride, as each fresh party that approached evinced, either by words or expression of countenance, as the degrees of intimacy permitted, their extravagant admiration of his daughters.

The thunder of knocks, peal on peal, still echoed and re-echoed. Julia and Frances were more accustomed to that which reverberated from Skiddaw to the Screes: for though they had, as we have seen, entered some very gay circles in the country, they had not experienced any thing on this great scale before: besides, they were conscious, that they were now the especial objects of

notice; and at each loud sound, they shrunk closer to their father. He felt the involuntary movement; and, in a whisper, warned them not to be foolish.

Meanwhile, the first and second reception rooms had filled to overflowing; and many of the company were finding their own way into other of the apartments. A number of people had already, for coolness, entered the ballroom; and thither we shall, for the present, accompany them.

After walking up and down for a time, some began to express impatience for the commencement of dancing; and others, to conjecture with whom Lady Julia L. would open the ball. This led to observations upon, praises by some, and criticism by others, of their youthful hostesses; for who, that is worthy of praise, can escape criticism? so true is it, that a young

woman cannot, with perfect impunity, be remarkable even for her merits. No one could deny that they were beautiful; a motion to that effect was therefore carried, by a clamorous and unanimous vote, on the part of the gentlemen. A crowd pressing towards the dancing room, caused all eyes to turn in the direction whence it approached.

"Who is that leading Lady Julia L. towards the head of the room?" exclaimed one voice. "Who is Lady Julia L. going to dance with?" cried another. "Who is that Lady Julia L. is leaning on?" said a third. "Who is it? Who is it? Who is he? Who is he?" was repeated by many. "He is very handsome!" said the ladies. "Do you know him?" inquired the gentlemen. These questions were telegraphed from the outskirts of the standing group into the centre of the