And he would have clasped her form again, but with flushed cheek she glided out of his arms and entered the parlour. He followed her, placed an easy chair, seated her on it, rolled a cushion to her feet, untied and removed her bonnet, lifted the mass of shining amber ringlets and pressed them to his face, and then would have sunk down upon the cushion at her feet—there to sit and worship with his eyes her peerless beauty, only the sound of light footsteps and silvery laughter arrested the folly. It was Valeria, who, chatting and laughing with her usual gaiety, entered, accompanied by Mrs. Sutherland. Their entrance was soon followed by that of Mr. Lauderdale, who was immediately presented to Mrs. Vivian and Miss Sutherland. Supper was next announced, and the party left the drawing-room. After supper, the evening was spent in music, conversation, and cards. A storm arising, detained the ladies all night. After the party had separated, each to seek his or her own apartment, Sutherland stopped for an instant in Lauderdale’s room to ask, “Well, what do you think of her, Lincoln?” “She is perfectly beautiful.” “Is she not?” “There is positively nothing possible to be added to her beauty!” “Ah, did I not tell you so?” “She has taken me completely captive.” “The deuce! I did not require you to be taken captive.” “If I were only in a condition to seek the lady’s love—” “Humph! What would you do, then?” “Lose no time in suing for it.” “The demon you wouldn’t! That is extremely cool, upon my sacred word and honour!” “Such glorious black eyes!” “They are not black, mine honest friend, but blue—celestial blue.” “Blue, are they? I thought they were black; but, in truth, one cannot follow their quickly-changing light and shade to find the hue, they scintillate and flash so.” “Scintillate and flash! Why, they are calm and steady as stars. What the deuce are her eyes to you?” “And then her magnificent black hair!” “Black! you are mad! Hers is bronze in the shade, and golden in the sunlight. D——l fly away with you!” the latter clause under his breath. “I swear her hair is superb black!” “Who are you talking about?” “Who—who but charming Mrs. Vivian!” “Cousin Valeria! Oh-h-h-h! ha! ha! ha! And _I_ was speaking of India! So you think Mrs. Vivian good-looking?” “Good-looking—divine.” “I thought no one in his senses could apply that term to any woman but Miss Sutherland.” “Who—the red-haired young lady?” “_Red-haired!_” burst out the voice of Sutherland, in indignant astonishment; then reining in his anger with a strong hand, he added, “Lincoln, you are my friend, but there are some provocations”— “Miss Sutherland is _graceful_,” said Lauderdale, with a quiet smile. “Tah-tah-tah, with your faint praises; good night.”