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mentary words of the ladies, and acquitted himself, if not with perfect ease, with at least the appearance of calmness. Still, however, the restraint upon his feelings, did not permit him the use of the vivacity requsite in conversation; nor was it until a few glasses of wine had passed his lips, that he felt himself

at ease.

CHAPTER IX.

Imagine Pericles at Tyre,

Welcom❜d to his heart's desire.

PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE.

ACCORDING to the custom observed at every dinner table in this polished kingdom, the ladies are obliged to rise from their seats soon after the cloth is removed. Why they are thus compelled to quit the company of the gentlemen for this long space of time is not possible of explanation; since no young man ever gave a willing consent to their absence. All, therefore, who are not professed "bottle men," acknowledge frankly that this particular time is pro

ductive both of ennui and insipidity. The conversation, smart and brilliant before, degenerates into a languid account of sporting feats; and the answers to remarks and observations, are strictly confined to a monosyllable. Dry politics and snuff-taking are generally the amusement of the elder part of the company-seasoned, perhaps, with an occasional narration of a frolic committed in the heyday of youth. It were well that this separation from the ladies was shortened :-the old would be corrected, and the young improved.

The conversation that occupied Sir Andrew and Louis, whilst they attacked the " generous old port," was not, however, formed of the topics already enumerated. One subject alone engrossed their minds; and this one related deeply to the interests of our hero; who endeavoured with pardonable art to extract from his father's lips all that he could, in order to prepare himself for his justi

fication. Leaving these two occupied with this theme, we shall adjourn to the drawing-room, in which Julia, Maria, and Mrs. Manners, after a moment of separation, had assembled, to keep each other company until the time arrived to summon the gentlemen to the tea-table.

Julia was the first to speak-though not before she had bestowed a good stirring upon the coals, and requested Maria and Mrs. Manners to draw their chairs into a comfortable semi-circle, to taste the cheering warmth of the fire.

"What think you," said she, addressing the two, "of this Colonel Archer, whom my papa has brought us for a guest ?"

"He is a perfect gentleman," said Mrs. Manners ; "his language and remarks bear the stamp of a refined mind."

"Granted," said Julia: "but still, I can assure you he quite awed me at

dinner-time, by the coldness of his looks. I was afraid of speaking to him: and I assure you that when I asked him to take wine, he sent such a glance, that absolutely frightened 'me.'

"This is singular," observed Maria; "for, on my own part, I never felt so disposed to converse with any gentleman before. I was at perfect ease in his

company; and, in short, I could have opened my heart to him."

Perhaps," interrupted Julia, with

a smile of sly meaning, " you may be requested to do it, some day, by the Colonel himself; for I noticed the number of admiring looks he cast upon you, at those times when he thought himself safe from observation."

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How ridiculous you talk, Julia," said Maria," he behaved to me as any other stranger would."

"I appeal to Mamma," (for this was the term both Julia and Maria used in addressing Mrs. Manners) "whether I

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