I told them I was pre-engaged, and endeavoured to apologise.  But they hastened away, saying, “Well, her grandmamma will be in a fine passion, that’s one good thing!”

And indeed, shortly afterwards, Madame Duval arrived, her face the colour of scarlet, and her eyes sparkling with fury, and behaved so violently that to appease her I consented, by Mrs. Mirvan’s advice, to go with madame’s party.

At the opera I was able, from the upper gallery, to distinguish the happy party I had left, with Lord Orville seated next to Mrs. Mirvan.  During the last scene I perceived, standing near the gallery door, Sir Clement Willoughby.  I was extremely vexed, and would have given the world to have avoided being seen by him in company with a family so low bred and vulgar.

As soon as he was within two seats of us he spoke to me.  “I am very happy, Miss Anville, to have found you, for the ladies below have each a humble attendant, and therefore I am come to offer my services here.”

“Why, then,” cried I, “I will join them.”  So I turned to Madame Duval, and said, “As our party is so large, madame, if you give me leave I will go down to Mrs. Mirvan that I may not crowd you in the coach.”

And then, without waiting for an answer, I suffered Sir Clement to hand me out of the gallery.

We could not, however, find Mrs. Mirvan in the confusion, and Sir Clement said, “You can have no objection to permitting me to see you safe home?”

While he was speaking, I saw Lord Orville, who advanced instantly towards me, and with an air and voice of surprise, said, “Do I see Miss Anville?”

I was inexpressibly distressed to suffer Lord Orville to think me satisfied with the single protection of Sir Clement Willoughby, and could not help exclaiming, “Good heaven, what can I do?”

“Why, my dear madam!” cried Sir Clement, “should you be thus uneasy?  You will reach Queen Ann Street almost as soon as Mrs. Mirvan, and I am sure you cannot doubt being as safe.”

Just then the servant came and told him the carriage was ready, and he handed me into it, while Lord Orville, with a bow and a half-smile, wished me good-night.

When I reached home Miss Mirvan ran out to meet me, and who should I see behind her but—­Lord Orville, who, with great politeness, congratulated me that the troubles of the evening had so happily ended, and said he had found it impossible to return home before he inquired after my safety.

I am under cruel apprehensions lest Lord Orville should suppose my being on the stairs with Sir Clement was a concerted scheme.

V.—­A Growing Acquaintance

EVELINA TO MISS MIRVAN

Berry Hill, Dorset.—­When we arrived here, how did my heart throb with joy!  And when, through the window, I beheld the dearest, the most venerable of men with uplifted hands, returning, as I doubt not, thanks for my safe arrival, I thought it would have burst my bosom!  When I flew into the parlour he could scarce articulate the blessings with which his kind and benevolent heart overflowed.