New-York tribune., 1880-10-03
only snorted. I heard her mutter: "A pair of

| the good ones. She leaves it on the drawing
room table when she goes home, and holds
| forth 10 the country people upon tne nesis
tints' of Mllais, and the deep impasto OF
| | soon got tired, 80 sat down near the pas
sage leading to the refreshment room: always
| think the lunch is about the best thlng at tne
| pictures But they seemed never to be coming.
| For some time an used myself looking at the
people they were shifting mass OF faces and
| dresses, and was greatly diverted, by and ov
| | began TO observe that the crowd wren they
came to a certain picture stood there, forming a
| regular line, as they did for MISS Thompson. IL
| was awfully hot, and had taken nif my veil
| and pushed up my hat, for my forehead was
| burning. Suddenly noticed that great many
people turned their backs upon the picture, and
looked at me, and then laced roung agalh 10
| the canvass WALL In my character of Beauty l
| have been all my life pretty well accustomed to
| the sort of homage conveyed by what Is called
| hard staring, so that it must have been an
undue amount of it which attracted my atten-
ton but surely had never seen any like this:
Groups of two thIee, six at a time would stand
before me, calmly surveying, me, ana, Gouiq
gather by UheIr gestures, talking ot me. But
didn't hear what they said. | became, very
anxious TO see the picture which attracted such
attention, but the block round it was too great
The next best thing was 70 ask for information
1t was some time before | could pitch upon a
person who seemed fitting for this purpose. AT
last very quiet-loOking lady came near me;
She had a catalogue in her hand. L addressed
her. May ask you to tell me the name OF the
picture at which every one is lOokngT She
turned to the book, but first glanced at me !;
then hurried on, and saw her Few minutes
afterward pointing me out to some OF her
friends. felt extremely uncomfortable.
looked about anxously for Charley ana
Matilda, but there was no sign OF either. men;
| did a very foolish thing 1 got up TO go anu
look for them, principally to escape from the
numberless eyes fixed upon me.
ntxTI W
and as | walked, followed me, pressing very
closely upon me, but not discourteously. /
could hear some of the remarks, which were OF
the most fattering description. Just then
Charley's, a certain Captain Winton. He was
hanger-On and tOady OF the great, ana a most
conceited, tiIesOme little creature. | disllked
him, although I'm bound to say lie never absn-
luely cut us.
He now stopped to speak TO me; OF course,
he was politely Indifferent as 10 the loss OF my
party.
said; but the fact is the Duchess OF Gran
berry is here and she's quite on the qui ere
Some one has told her that the original of the
picture is actually in the room, and: OF c0urSa,
it would be everything to secure her ior tne
Goth, and
HeIe | interrupted him rather rudely, but he
is such bore.
Il wonder | said-but here was in my turn
INTERRUPTED. Two gentlemen on one side, two
on tie other, tapped Captain Wnt0n on eacD
shoulder.
"Will you kindly introduce NE q said one.
And me said the other.
And meT
And meg
Little Wnton stared, but did as he was bid.
Lord Snappington-Mrs Redcar; Colonel
Fotheringham-Mr Redcar; Sir John De
Tabley-Mrs. Redcar Major Beaulieu-Mrs
Redcar. Beauheu, | think you know Charley
Rcucar; he was one OF ours I
In light Cf this acquaintance, Major Beaulieu
walked on my right hand Lord Snapplngton
fought hard to keep his place on my left, but
the crowd, which peIsistently followed in my
wake would not let him. Hardly any conyer-
sation was possible. AT the first convenient
pause, little WiDton darted forward:
My dear Mrs. Redcar, how sly you have
been! And Charley, too, never Dreathed a
word of this , Now, you mnst come at once 10
the Duchess; have her positive orders AND,
before ] could take in what he meant, was
being introduced 10 a very large lady, with a
high nose, and most chalmlnS manner; ,,oor
Il am so pleased TO know you, Mrs. Redcar,
she said. | am obliged to hurry away; bt
YOU will come to me on the 10th, won't you |
haven't time 10 say half the pretty tllh9s i
ought; but really, without tiattery, 1t Isn't
equal! There, now III not say another word.
Stay; could you come TO me this evening" Its
shOckingly informal, but you don't look formal.
EE2 What gin answer to whisper IRON
little WintOn-' OF course, Captain hedcar, by
all means-that Is, If he Will give ne thc
pleasure. / have TO run away,-so sorry. My
carriage, Captain Wnton, if yOu please. Good
bye' And with pretty smile ana bow, she
vanished.
1t was all so sudden felt quite stunned. 4
don't understand it,, said. don't Know her,
or what she wants with me-
That's the Duchess of Cranberry. She's
great friend Of Masses, and her wonderful
party is to be on the Doth
But what does she want with met re-
pcated
They all smiled and Winton who had just
come back, said CapitalV He volunteered to
90 and look for Charley, and suggested to one
of the gentlemen to see about my carriage.
The Duchess is delighted, he said, ard
thanked me so much for the. introduction. NO
Didn't do we'll about Charley? 1t wouldn't do
at all for him to be in the background. But,
listen, | have a hint for your private ear. L
shouldn't be at all surprised if certain Person
is there this evening"
oh, at the Duchesss, of course. lust give
Won the hint. Throw over an engagement, do
YOU hear? And mind you bring Charley
Aud with grave face he went.
For a minute OF two | felt inclined to cry. /
had had 10 ,luncheol, and this extraordinary
adventure puzzled me. | looked round at my
escort of four gentlemen. | should like 10 go
home / said. =,
Lord Snarpington Immediately offered me his
arm. Major Beaulieu brought my parasol-the
other two ran for my carriage. 4 haven't any,
indeed went on think you take me for
some one else
At this they all laughed, and Lord Swapping
ION said would ! honor him by making use of
his9 He didn't want it for the rest OF the after
noon, if liked to drive. He was Sc, pressing
that | really couldn't refuse to go to Inverness
errace in it, although hardly expected 'ie
wonderful fOOtman TO know where IL was.
/ declare when found myself in the carriage
unite alone | rubbed my eyes and pnched my
fingers. / could hardly help thinkine, that !
had fallen asleep and had dreamt all this but
inst as | was pinching myself hard | saw
charley and Matilda standing on the pavement
in Piccadilly, looking very hot and uncomfort,,
able | put my head out of the wndo" ana
called to the grand coachman to stop.
The man looked at me very wIckedly, but i