Year: 1877

with smile. "Why do you ask the ques-
tion p


because, if you did, I had thought Of a
plan for enlivening your solitude little
What doyou say to our getting up grand
ball, which shall be the admiration Of the
country? You know we have had nothing
but few quiet dinners hitherto, and l want
to see you shine out in all the splendor of
Countess Desborough under the most favora-
BILE surroundings"


"Nay, George, you are laughing at me- l
never could be splendid or brilliant under
any circumstances, though I could manage, l
suppose, to make creditable hostess on such
an OCCASION"


"I'll give you set of diamonds that shall
eclipse Lady Raymond's famous heir-looms.
and cast the Duchess of Kents magnificent
parure in the shade"


"And should not enjoy them in the least,
wearing them with such motive. My dia'
monds are quite fine enough to suit me, as
sure you. But are you in earnest about this
ball l?"


aCertainly; never was more So"


II thought you were not fond of gayety."


"Neither am I, as a general rule. But one
must sacrifice oneself occasionally to the ext
gencies of society, and if it is to be done, it
may as we'll be done gracefully. So on the
principle of facing the worst bravely, let US
put our heads together as soon as we 60 in,
and decide on some of the necessary arrange
ments."


In her heart Geraldine had no fondness for
gay entertainments but her anxiety to con-
form in every point to her husbands wishes,
made her enter with alacrity into any scheme
which he proposed. She accordingly lent all
her energies to the undertaking, as far as her
suggestions and superintendent were con-
cerned. Uphosterers were brought from Lon
don, and yielded. to her taste in the adorn-
ment of the elegant rooms which we're to be
open on the occasion, confessing, when all was
DONE that her ladyship's judgment and dis
elimination we're of the first order. She was
equally happy in the selection of her own toi-
lette, which her city dressmaker declared to
be absolutely perfect; it was so chaste in its
simplicity, SO artistic in it elegances.


The ball came off in due season, and was
universally pronounced to be an entire sue
cess. Lord Desborough, in getting itup, had
twofold motive One was, as he had said,
the necessity Of giving in to the demands of
society, and fulfilling his duties to his neigh
bors no less than to himself aud his Count
ess, as be6tted their rank; the other was a
desire to display his wife in brilliant and
exalted position, which he had secret con-
viction she would fill in highly creditable
manner In this last anticipation be was
not deceived. Moving among her guests with
the air noble one might reasonably look for
in Countess Desborough, she dispensed the
hospitalities of the evening with mingled
sweetness and dignity that won the admira-
ton of all, and excited many commenda-
tory remark, even from some who had come
disposed to criticise and cavil. Lord Desbo-
rough's object was gained. The impression she
made was exactly such as he had desired and
intended, and the position he chose her to
occupy in the county was thenceforward es-
tablished without dispute.


Geraldine was not sorry when this brilliant
affair, and the consequent influx of visiting,
was over, and she could turn, uninterruptedly,
again to the quiet of her domestic occupations.
In her tranquil home-life, beauti6ed and
adorned now by the one element which it had
before lacked to make it delightful, and, lack
ing which, its other charms were all null and
void, she found her truest and most unfailing
happiness, and needed nothing beyond to fill
up the measure of her content. The attach
ment between her husband and herself con-
stantly strengthened, as each learned to know
and appreciate more fully the sterling worth
of the other. And if anything was needed
to draw this tie closer, it came, after the lapse
of some years, in the shape ofa son and heir.
a noble boy, the only child ever born to them,
and in whom their interest and affection be-
came equally absorbed. This second George
Mortimer has been brought up, so far, alto
getber under the supervision of his parents,
though they are now contemplating the expe-
diency of placing him in charge of tutor,
who will put him through course prepara-
tory to his entering college. In the mean
time, his father is training him up in all the
noble and useful qualities, and teaching him
which is quite as important as Latin and
Greek-the duties he will be required to per-
form when he enters on mans estate; showing
him by example, as we'll as precept, in what
way an Earl ofDesborough IN best discharge
the responsibilities of his position and do hon.
or to his name


Mrs. Harcourt, thanks to her son.in.law'a
liberality, which is so delicately exercised as
not to offend even his wife's sensitive pride, is
enabled to spend her declining years in the
way which she finds most congenial to herself
namely, constant round of visiting at va
rious fashionable watering-places and sum-
mer resorts, where she passes her time in play
ing cards, in criticising her acquaintance, and
in boas,ing of the wealth and splendor of
Desborough Castle, in the reflected glory OF
which she delights-at dstance-to bask.
T l:,.,,,, tbo puiot thora does