In his second round, Lord Cadurcis recognised the approach of the Herberts.  They formed the portion of a large party.  Lady Annabel was leaning on her brother, whom Cadurcis knew by sight; Venetia was at the side of her aunt, and several gentlemen were hovering about them; among them, to his surprise, his cousin, George Cadurcis, in his uniform, for he had been to Court and to the Court Ball.  Venetia was talking with animation.  She was in her Court dress and in powder.  Her appearance was strange to him.  He could scarcely recognise the friend of his childhood; but without any doubt in all that assembly, unrivalled in the whole world for beauty, grace, and splendour, she was without a parallel; a cynosure on which all eyes were fixed.

So occupied were the ladies of the Herbert party by the conversation of their numerous and brilliant attendants, that the approach of any one else but Lord Cadurcis might have been unnoticed by them, but a hundred tongues before he drew nigh had prepared Venetia for his appearance.  She was indeed most anxious to behold him, and though she was aware that her heart fluttered not slightly as the moment was at hand, she commanded her gaze, and her eyes met his, although she was doubtful whether he might choose or care to recognise her.  He bowed almost to the ground; and when Venetia had raised her responsive head he had passed by.

‘Why, Cadurcis, you know Miss Herbert?’ said his friend in a tone of some astonishment.

‘Well; but it is a long time since I have seen her.’

‘Is she not beautiful?’

’I never doubted on that subject; I tell you, Scrope, we must contrive to join her party.  I wish we had some of our friends among them.  Here comes the Monteagle; aid me to escape her.’

The most fascinating smile failed in arresting the progress of Cadurcis; fortunately, the lady was the centre of a brilliant band; all that he had to do, therefore, was boldly to proceed.

‘Do you think my cousin is altered since you knew him?’ inquired George Cadurcis of Venetia.

‘I scarcely had time to observe him,’ she replied.

’I wish you would let me bring him to you.  He did not know until this moment you were in town.  I have not seen him since we met yesterday.’

‘Oh, no,’ said Venetia.  ‘Do not disturb him.’

In time, however, Lord Cadurcis was again in sight; and now without any hesitation he stopped, and falling into the line by Miss Herbert, he addressed her:  ‘I am proud of being remembered by Miss Herbert,’ he said.

‘I am most happy to meet you,’ replied Venetia, with unaffected sincerity.

’And Lady Annabel, I have not been able to catch her eye:  is she quite well?  I was ignorant that you were in London until I heard of your triumph this night.’