Year: 1877

b when Georglana accepted his pro-
posal to waltz. On his way to the man
sion of Lady c., with band of gay
companions, he had rashly laid a wager
of considerable amount, that only one
unmarried woman in the room would
refuse to waltz with him, and that to
that woman, whoever she might be, he
would propose before the end of the sea-
son. Georgiana Melton was in his minds
or rather his hearts eye, when he made
the bet. A passionate admirer of beauty
In all its forms, he had borne her radl-
ant image away from many festive
scene, and worshipped it in solitude and
| silence. He had heard, with a species
of exultation, few evenings previous,
her dignihed refusal to waltz with the
most distinguished individual in the
room, and he had thought how well the
ducal coronet would grace brow so no.
bic and so pure. Gay, profuse, and
seemingly thoughtless as he was, he had
nursed in secret noble refinement of
soul, which rendered him fastidious,
even in trifes, and he could not forgive
Miss Melton her evident eagerness to
join in dance which he disapproved,
although her favored partner was him
self. He was veXed with her for falling
to reach the standard of perfection he
had raised in his own mind, and when
the dance was done, he turned away
with sigh, that told of blighted hope.


Georgiana mistook that sigh for one
of love; for she had often marked the
earnest gaze of admiration, and in spite
of her long cherished affection for Lor-
raine, her young heart fluttered at the
thought of the brilliant conquest she
had made.


AS the Duke left her, her cousin ap-
preached. Her eyes fell beneath his, and
her very temples flushed with the agita-
ton of her heart. He seemed about to
speak as he took her trembling hand
but suddenly letting it fall again, with
out word, he hurried by and left the
room. Georgiana smiled as her fancy
pictured an interesting reconciliation,
which she intended should take place in
her boudoir, the next morning, at
farthest


y +


&C. have lost my wager" whispered
the young Duke to his friend, Lord n
-, and what is worse, l have lost
the loveliest woman in England"


Pardon me, my friend" said Lord
N. " You have lost neither your bet
nor your bride.'


How have / not waltzed with every
unmarried woman in the room ?''-
(Thank Heaven there are not many y
and is not Miss Melton the star of the
season ?"


Do you see that delicate creature at
her side ?" replied his friend.


Who can see anything where she is,
but herself? Ha but she is beautiful
who is shep do you know her? L
hope she don't waltz. 1 dread to ask
her, lest those sweet lips should simper
yes L shall detest that word in fu-
ture." And ere Lord N could re-
ply, the Duke was requesting from
Georgiana an introduction to her sister.


Caroline's eyelids dropped, and soft
blush, warmed her delicate cheek, when
he hestitatingly requested her to join the
walters. He almost trembled for her
answer. 1t was simple, No, your
grace!' and the young nobleman thought
he had never heard voice so thrilling
ly sweet before. "Will you not in
deed % he involuntarily exclaimed. 81
am so happy to hear it," Caroline open
ed her blue eyes with wonder, and Geor-
giana grew stately but they soon for
got the seeming rudeness of the remark.
in the delight which his eloquent con-
versation inspired, and the generous
heart of our heroine exulted at the i'm
preston which her fairy pet" las she
fondly called her sister,, had evidently
made.


am sure you have bewitched him.
sweet ~ said Miss Melton to Caroline,
the next day, land what charming
little Duchess you'll be !" she continued,
fondly twining her jeweled fingers in
the rlnglets of her sister, as the latter
closed her tell-tale eyes on her shoulder.
" But haste that was Vincent's knock
1 am sure it was I" and she stopped and
kissed Carry's fair brow, to conceal the
emotion which glowed in her eloquent
face.


"What an enchanting picture' ex-
claimed the Duke of c., as he en-
tered the room at the moment.