On her return to the room, Mrs. Wilson observed Denbigh approach Egerton, and enter into conversation of a general nature.  It was the first time anything more than unavoidable courtesies had passed between them.  The colonel appeared slightly uneasy under his novel situation, while, on the other hand, his companion showed an anxiety to be on a more friendly footing than heretofore.  There was something mysterious in the feelings manifested by both these gentlemen that greatly puzzled the good lady; and from its complexion, she feared one or the other was not entirely free from censure.  It could not have been a quarrel, or their names would have been familiar, to each other.  They had both served in Spain, she knew, and excesses were often committed by gentlemen at a distance from home their pride would have prevented where they were anxious to maintain a character.  Gambling, and a few other prominent vices, floated through her imagination, until, wearied of conjectures where she had no data, and supposing, after all, it might be only her imagination, the turned to more pleasant reflections.

Chapter XII.

The bright eyes of Emily Moseley unconsciously wandered round the brilliant assemblage at Mr. Haughton’s, as she took her seat, in search of her partner.  The rooms were filled with scarlet coats, and belles from the little town of F——­; and if the company were not the most select imaginable, it was disposed to enjoy the passing moment cheerfully and in lightness of heart.  Ere, however, she could make out to scan the countenances of the men, young Jarvis, decked in the full robes of his dignity, as captain in the ——­th foot, approached and solicited the honor of her hand.  The colonel had already secured her sister, and it was by the instigation of his friend, Jarvis had been thus early in his application.  Emily thanked him, and pleaded her engagement.  The mortified youth, who had thought dancing with the ladies a favor conferred on them, from the anxiety his sister always manifested to get partners, stood for a few moments in sullen silence; and then, as if to be revenged on the sex, he determined not to dance the whole evening.  Accordingly, he withdrew to a room appropriated to the gentlemen, where he found a few of the military beaux, keeping alive the stimulus they had brought with them from the mess-table.

Clara had prudently decided to comport herself as became a clergyman’s wife, and she declined dancing altogether.  Catherine Chatterton was entitled to open the ball, as superior in years and rank to any who were disposed to enjoy the amusement.  The dowager, who in her heart loved to show her airs upon such occasions, had chosen to be later than the rest of the family; and Lucy had to entreat her father to have patience more than once during the interregnum in their sports created by Lady Chatterton’s fashion.  This lady at length appeared, attended