Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-11-27

3pOrt Tor It's own SAKE. MOI OOeln teu OF
you can tell a good horse from a bad one,
One does not like to have such dread
full things as that said to n even by q
duke, and of course they are all the more
when they are said In a perfect
" good natured and matter of course
way. Mr.. Schneider, somewhat abashed,
fell back and surveyed the company,
amongst which he was quite sorry to
recognize so many people whom he knew.
II was satisfactory that they should see
him at Paddington house, but it was less
to see them there. He would
much have preferred that they should
be made aware Of the high society to
which he had been admitted by the news
on the following morning.
Meanwhile his interests were not be-
ing neglected by his %introducer. Lord
Guise shouldered his way through the
throng towards Lady Belvoir, whom he
found dancing with his friend Eustace
Moreton, and with whom he entered
into conversation, altogether Disregard
ing the presence Of her partner.
"What particular mischief are you up
to now?' he began by inquiring. II
suppose you never go to a ball without
designs upon some poor beggar's peace
of mind, do your
II 40 to balls to Dance" answered
Lady Belvoir; II thought you never
went to balls at all. To what do we
owe this unusual treat?'
II suppose if I said I came here to
meet you you would think I wa telling
. lie, wouldn't you?" asked Lord Guise.
"No," she answered, II shouldn't
think So; I should be sure of it. l often
wonder why you dislike me SO much,
considering that I have never done you
the smallest injury"
ut isn't dislike, it's fear. You are so
irresistible, you know"
Lady Belvoir sighed and allowed those
large and rather melancholy eyes of hers
to rest upon his face for q moment.
Then she suddenly broke into q laugh.
"Don't be alarmed" she said. "How-
ever irresistible l may be you shall not
be called upon to resist me. I don't
want to be rude, but we are such old
friends that I'm sure you won't mind my
saying how instinctively I shrink from
ugly men. Not as friends, Of course
only I can't tolerate them rs admirers"
"Never2" asked Lord Guise, without
wincing. Il am sorry for that, because
I was rather thinking Of introducing al
ugly man to you tonight, and it goe'
without saying that he would have be
come an admirer if you had consented
10 make his acquaintance"
"Idare say I may consent" Lady Bel
voir answered. "Who is he, and wher'
is he, and why do you want to introduce
him to me7 Mr.. Moreton, I see you ar
dying to get away; don't let me keel
you any longer. Lord Guise will find
seat for me somewhere"
And whcA Moreton had acted upo1
this hint, and a vacant sofa had been dis
covered for her, she repeated her in
quiries as to the ugly unknown.
upon second thoughts" said Lor'
Guise, II am not sure that he is ugly
at least, not very. He is quite young
which is a beauty in itself; and he has
round face and an empty head, and h
employs a good tailor, and his name
Schneider. Is that categorical enough!
"Oh, the little man who makes the bi
bets! He has any amount of shekels
hasn't hep
"Well, he has plenty of coins of som
kind; but he isn't a Jew, if that is wha
you mean-and if it matters It was m
good nature that made me think of pr.
senting him to you. I know it woul
give him the most unfeigned delight
be placed on your visiting list; and, tai
ing him all round, he Is quite a we
behaved as the generality Of your int
mates"
"Go and fetch him." answered Lad
Belvois. "At least, he can't be wors
behaved than you are"
"And most certainly he behaves bettt
than you do, my dear sybil. But tn
isn't high praise"
II should have thought" observe
Lady Belvoir quietly, "you might ha,
found out by this time that I don't col
slider your rude speeches in the least 81
tertaining."
~ have found it out, and it has a
ways surprised me. II I were in 20,
place / should feel that they lent variet
: to life and should quite enjoy them. B,
I suppose no woman knows what it is
be satiated with fattery. Now I wi
? go and get my poor little Schneider, wi
: will flatter you to the top Of your ben
! If you don't brighten him."
Lady Belvoir had no intention of DOR
that. That she proposed to make q CO.
! quest Of the innocent Schneider was
!, matter Of course. That was what 81
always proposed to do and always d
with each fresh male acquaintance. B,
in his case she was influenced by q ha
0 formed Interior motive.
HE might DO" she unused. "If he
really a. rich as they say he ia he mig
possibly d."
financial position was far from satisfa
tory. For some time past she had be,
living considerably beyond her incom
and there were moments when she Il
seriously alarmed about the future.
q At such moments she naturally co
templated putting herself up for sale,
that she was prepared to give N
Schneider the chance Of Offering t
very high price which she was entitl
q to demand. There are many differe
ways Of being proud. Lady Belvoi
b pride Of birth (she had no pride Of al
other kind took the form OF almost tot
Indifference with regard to what is ge
orally considered the important questi,
q Of alliances. There was very little bio
a in England as good as hers, and b
view was that II she had to stoop at
she would incur no great additional G
+ loquy by STOPPING as low as a Schneids
q She was q woman Of exceedingly qui
perceptions, and before she had {
y changed half q dozen words with the l
tie man, who addressed her with til
q kind Of shyness which displays itself
d an afectation Of exaggerated ease, 6
knew exactly how to treat him. s
). drew aside her dress so as to make roe
) for him In . corner Of the sofa up
d which she was seated.
70 "Of course you don't want to dane
It she said. "This is one Of the few LIZ
d don rooms that are ft to dance in; /
d tonight there is far too much OF
squash. Are you coming to their Lit
ID dance on the 17th?'
10 mo, I don't think co." answer
It Schneider hesitatingly; for indeed
ls feared that he would have the best Of
d reasons for being absent from that
tertainment.
{, "Not good enough Wen, / must