of their subject, persevered in illustrating them by particulars. His brother captain took the first opportunity of leaving Mortimer, and our hero was obliged to listen while the captain proceeded. Meanwhile the countess had directed her steps to the spot where Sir Edward Hamden sat with Miss Mortimer. Perfectly acquainted with the baronet, “Pray,” she said, “Hamden, do you know who that charming youth is that danced with me?” “I understand his name is Hamilton,” replied Hamden. “What a graceful figure, what a bewitching countenance, what eyes, and such a look as he has with him: it is well for me that I am past my teens, and not a susceptible romantic girl.” “That you are out of your teens,” said my Lord Bayleaf, who had come to reconnoitre Miss Mortimer, “and past romantic love, we most readily admit; but that you are also out of your susceptibility, I should rather be disposed to doubt.” “Hamden,” said her ladyship, “Do you know that Bayleaf, as he finds age growing on, and former amusements gone off, is going to set up for a wit. He was hard at it last Friday, and has since been in training; he only ventures twice a week yet, perhaps as he improves he may get on to thrice. But,” proceeded the lady, “he applies his old tastes to his jokes, he takes them at second hand.” “In the subject, does your ladyship mean?” says Bayleaf. “No,” says she, “but in the execution.” But here, his lordship being called aside to give judgment on the genealogy of a horse, the countess resumed the praises of Hamilton; and particularly celebrated the turn of his aspect towards an agreeable woman. “Your ladyship’s attractions,” said Hamden, “would soften the looks of any man.” “Really, I have not the vanity to think that my ladyship’s attractions had entirely engrossed him, he seems to have a habit of making love, and conveyed stolen glances at two or three others. I think Miss Louisa Primrose, and that forward young pout, Lady Betty Ogle, will pull caps about him. I am told he is a young man of small fortune. Primrose is mistress of a plumb, so indeed I told Hamilton. With so very pretty a girl it would be a God-send.” “What,” said Hamden, “is your ladyship going to turn match-maker?” “Oh no,” said she, “but I have taken a great fancy to this young man, and intend to make him a protegée, and I think I could not do better for him.” The very young lady in question, with her mother, now accosted Captain Mortimer, who had formerly been captain in Admiral Primrose’s own ship, and was well known to his widow, and also acquainted with the daughter; and Mortimer, who was extremely fond of Hamilton, and desirous of extending his acquaintance and connections, introduced him to Louisa; and as the last dance of the second set was now ending, Hamilton could not avoid asking the young lady to be his partner in the two next. Politeness having compelled our hero to remain a few minutes with his new acquaintance, he found on going to look for Maria, that