"No, indeed," said Elinor, smiling and shaking her head good-naturedly. "I have had one long walk, already, this afternoon, and much prefer sitting still, just now." "You should follow Jane's example; you see, she is promenading, and, I dare say, she took the walk with you, too," said Adeline. "Did you ever know Jane take a long walk, when she could help it?" asked Elinor, smiling. "I had really rather sit still, Miss Taylor." Adeline, finding that on this occasion she could not succeed in setting all her friends in motion, which she generally endeavoured to do, returned to the ranks; leaving Elinor to do as she chose. Hazlehurst took a seat by her, and made some inquiries about several of their old acquaintances in the room. "Don't you think those two young ladies both very pretty, Mr. Hazlehurst," said Dr. Van Horne, approaching the spot where Harry was standing near Elinor, after having given up his chair to one of the Saratoga belles, when the march was finished. "Which do you mean, sir?" asked Harry. "Miss Taylor and Miss Graham, who are standing together near the piano." "Yes," replied Hazlehurst, "Miss Taylor is even prettier than I had supposed she would be." "She will not compare, however, with Miss Jane. To my mind, Miss Graham answers the idea of perfect beauty. In all your travels, did you meet with a face that you thought more beautiful?" "I believe not," said Harry, laconically, and slowly colouring at the same time. "Is it Jane you were speaking of, Doctor?" inquired Elinor, turning towards him. "Don't you think she has come back twice as beautiful as she was last year? It is really a pleasure to look at a face like hers." "I am afraid, it will prove rather a dangerous pleasure, Miss Elinor, to some of the beaux, this winter." "No doubt she will be very much admired; but she takes it all very quietly. I don't believe your great beauties as much disposed to vanity as other people." "Perhaps not;" replied the doctor, drawing near her. "A great deal depends on education. But what do the travellers tell you about the sights they have seen, Miss Elinor?" "Oh, we have only gone as far as the first chapter of their travels," she replied. "They have not half said their say yet." "Well, I should like to have a talk with you on the subject, Mr. Hazlehurst. I was in hopes of meeting your brother here, to-night, but he has not come, I find; I shall have to bore you with my questions, unless you want to dance this jig, or whatever it is, they are beginning." "Not at all, my dear sir; I shall be glad to answer any questions of yours." "Thank you. Suppose we improve the opportunity, Miss Elinor, and give him a sharp cross-examination; do you think he would bear it?" "I hope so," said Elinor, smiling quietly, as if she felt very easy on the subject.