touch than he started back, and whispered to his officious companion,-- "What! among friends, Ned! Fie now; curb the nature of thee for one night at least." Before he of the flowing locks had time to answer, the master of the ceremonies, who had for the last three minutes been eying the strangers through his glass, stepped forward with a sliding bow; and the handsome gentleman, taking upon himself the superiority and precedence over his comrades, was the first to return the courtesy. He did this with so good a grace and so pleasing an expression of countenance that the censor of bows was charmed at once, and with a second and more profound salutation announced himself and his office. "You would like to dance probably, gentlemen?" he asked, glancing at each, but directing his words to the one who had prepossessed him. "You are very good," said the comely stranger; "and, for my part, I shall be extremely indebted to you for the exercise of your powers in my behalf. Allow me to return with you to the ball-room, and I can there point out to you the objects of my especial admiration." The master of the ceremonies bowed as before, and he and his new acquaintance strolled into the ball-room, followed by the two comrades of the latter. "Have you been long in Bath, sir?" inquired the monarch of the rooms. "No, indeed! we only arrived this evening." "From London?" "No; we made a little tour across the country." "Ah! very pleasant, this fine weather." "Yes; especially in the evenings." "Oho! romantic!" thought the man of balls, as he rejoined aloud, "Why, the nights are agreeable, and the moon is particularly favourable to us." "Not always!" quoth the stranger. "True, true, the night before last was dark; but, in general, surely the moon has been very bright." The stranger was about to answer, but checked himself, and simply bowed his head as in assent. "I wonder who they are!" thought the master of the ceremonies. "Pray, sir," said he, in a low tone, "is that gentle man, that tall gentleman, any way related to Lord ----------? I cannot but think I see a family likeness." "Not in the least related to his lordship," answered the stranger; "but he is of a family that have made a noise in the world; though he, as well as my other friend, is merely a commoner!" laying a stress on the last word. "Nothing, sir, can be more respectable than a commoner of family," returned the polite Mr. -------, with a bow. "I agree with you, sir," answered the stranger, with another. "But, heavens!"--and the stranger started; for at that moment his eye caught for the first time, at the far end of the room, the youthful and brilliant countenance of Lucy Brandon,--"do I see rightly, or is that Miss Brandon?" "It is indeed that lovely young lady," said Mr. -------. "I congratulate you on knowing one so admired. I suppose that you, being blessed with her acquaintance, do not need the formality of my introduction?"