The true Democrat., 1857-03-03

"Dear me, Jane.' he somewhat peevishly uttered, "I 1 don't understand these things Dress! Well-order yourself one. Will that | do?''
 "Thank you, sir''
 "And let the bill come in to me. Quietly, i you know" Charlotte was lingering on the stairs when got out. Miss Jane, are you to go?"
 "Yes."
 "Oh, well, that's all right. was determin- ed them children shouldn't stand in your light, if I could put in word against it. If Mrs Dixon and the other one were not everlastingiy drumming round master with their il-natured counsels, things would soon come straight be- tween you and him. If you will take my ad- vice, Miss Jane you will not let them know that you are going, or they'll ferret out way to put you off.''
 did take Chsrlotte's advice, and said noth- ing They never dreamt was going. In their preparations for the ball, their consultations as to dress and other detail, there was no reference made to me, though carried on in my presence. Once there arose great dlemma--w whether Kate should wear in her hair blue roses like her dress. or gold wheat-ears
 II dare say Lionel would not notice the diff. ference" 1 nterposed. "Men never do."
 Mrs. Dixon turned to me her naughty face, reproof on is every feature. Su Lionel, if you please, Miss Dixon. when you speak of my cousin" retort was on my lips but l kept it in.
 Monday, Christmas eve, came, and as its evening drew on, we heard that Sir Lionel had arrived. Charlotte snatched a moment from her attendance in Mrs. Dixon's room. where Kate was dressed, to assist me- I had chosen a white crape dress, for we were in mourning for a relative of my fathers. There was moth. ing fine about 1t or me; but when it was on. and Charlotte turned me round and round, she declared 1 should look the most lady-lke in the room As to the few ornaments which wore, they were only jet My own dear ma mas pearls, which ought to have been mine, were on somebody else that night setting off her heavy black satin.
 They were assembled round the dining room fire when I entered, waiting for the carriage, all of them. Rates face looked lovely, but not her dress. There was too much of 1t: sa- tin lace, gauge, ribbons, all in too great pro- fusion. Miss Betsey wore crimson velvet, which had been in the family twenty years.- They looked round at me, and stared in aston ishment.
 "What means this?'' broke forth Mrs Dix on. "What are you dressed for?"
 "Jane appealed to me, and I said she was to go." hastily observed my father, with more decision in his tone than he commonly used. "For her to be the only one omitted ih this very general entertainment, would have reflect ed an unr ecessary slight upon our house."
 "Oh, am glad lane is going,' exclaimed Kate, in her good-natured way. But the oth- CTS looked as black as thunder
 "Jane cannot go," returned Mrs Dixon, not attempting to suppress her passion; "ihe car rage will not hold five. It is impossible that our dresses can be crushed"
 II will go on the box," said my father.
 "Indeed you will not" she answered. "I don't want to have you to nurse all this winter.'
 "There is no fear of your having me to nurse through my riding outside tonight" he reioned "There is an extraordoary change n the weather, and tonight it is positively warm''
 My father was right about the weather. The cold which had prevailed for some time past, so intense as to rarely have been equaled, left us that Christmas eve. ltwas then, as he said, warm.
 "I don't care whether it's warm or cold" returned Mrs. Dixon. in answer to him, you are not going to ride outside. Don't you see the embarrassment your obstinacy is caus'ng?" she added to me.
 "The carriage can take us at twice" said my father.
 "Ycs. And have double fare to pav What next?'
 Louisa" he resumed, "Jane will go to this partv-for the reason have mentioned. And she has my promise. If the carriage cannot if have said it."
 Where did you get that dress from?" she asked, quite savagev Is it new?"
 "Yes. I ordered it at Mrs. Hills" was my reply.
 "What did t cost? Is it paid for?'
 "I have not had the bill, Mrs. Dixon"
 "Did you connteuance this extravagance?' she enqnired, turning to my father wth turi. ous face.
 s'Jane could not wear the dresses she sits in at home--she told me she had none fit What time they are with this carriage" he ex- claimed, hastening from the room, as if to es- cape further reproaches.
 "Jane. how we'll you look.' calculated Kate "Better than I. Aunt, do wish had fixed upon white now that 1 see Jane"
 "She don't look we'll" tartly retorted Miss Betsey.
 My father was willing to wait and go with me, but Mrs. Dixon would not have it so.- They went first with Kate; and Mss BetSev waited behind Miss BetSey was in an awful temper and kept up running fire of re, proaches at mo till the carriage came back, and then all the way to the Hall did not answer them.
 She was full of petty spite She would not give my name to the servants only her own; and heard shouted out, as we went in, "The Miss Ruperts." The rooms were very full. Miss Betsev did not attempt to find or approach the host, but pushed her way to an obscure corner and seated me in it, and sat guard over me. There was cluster of seats at that place. and we were hidden behind oth- CT people. She thought-I know she did that I should not dance if she could prevent it.
 felt sick with agitation, knowing how soon should see him. did not know him at first. He was taller--or else he looked t-and so very manly looking, and his auburn hair had grown dark; but he had still the merry eye and sweet smile of Lionel Rupert. He was danc- ing with Lord Aiesbury's daughter Lady Au- gusta-a beautiful girl, especially to my jeal- ous eye. On Mrs. Dixon's arrival, he had asked after me, and she had replied 1 was not come--without further explanation.
 I hope you approve of the arraingements we have made for you, Lionel" she hastenei to say. II, for one, have been active in your service"
 "Oh, they are first rate," he replied "But this affair tonight took me by surprise,
 You must look upon yourself in the light of guest, and give yourself no trouble" said Mrs. Dixon. So many relations are here to take it off your hands. We have planned everything for you, even to your partners- kate--I may as we'll hand her over to your charge now--is to have the honor of the first dance with you"
 "Well, really, cried Lionel, opening his eyes rather wide, though feeling myself Of course, under eternal obligations to my kind relatives, and hoping to repay their exertions, would prefer, in the matter of partners, to exercise my own choice. Kate my dear. we are cousins and 1t will not do to take you first The dons of the county, smarting under my neglect, would