The young lady sang one or two more songs, and then rose from the piano, and was received upon the arm of Doctor B—, who treated her with marked politeness. After conducting her to a seat, he introduced two or three gentlemen who came forward, and leaving them to entertain her, went to look after other guests who required his attentions. "She sings exquisitely, doctor," remarked a gentleman who encountered Doctor B— as he was moving away from the lady. "Delightfully," was replied. "But, doctor, my daughter tells me that she is her music teacher." "That's one side of the case," returned Doctor B—. "The other is, that she is the sister of Doctor Hudson, who is destined to be one of the most eminent surgeons in the country; and is, so far as herself is concerned, a lady in every sense of the word, and one that I feel proud to number among my guests. The world would be better, my friend, if there were more in it like Miss Hudson." "Is she a woman of education?" "She is highly educated, I am told by Doctor Baldwin, to whom she is engaged in marriage—" "Engaged to Doctor Baldwin!" exclaimed the friend. "Yes; I have it from his own lips. She has given up her music teaching—a calling that she followed more from her love of independence and usefulness, than from any necessity to do so—in view of her marriage with the doctor." "Well, I'm astonished! I must own, however, that he is a man of taste and good sense." "In which I perfectly agree with you." The two men separated, and Doctor B— passed on to another part of the room. When cotillions were formed, Doctor B— led out Ella, and danced the first set with her. "How gracefully she moves," remarked Mrs. Baldwin to Clara, who had declined dancing, she having her own reasons for wishing to keep beside her mother. "I wonder who she is? Nobody that I have asked knows her." "What makes you notice her so particularly, mother?" asked Clara. "There are many other young ladies in the room whom you have never seen before. And some quite as beautiful as she is." "But none with just such a face. It is so youthful and innocent, yet so womanlike in its tone. Several times I have found her eyes fixed intently upon me, with an expression that I felt, but could not understand. There are others as handsome, and few who do not make a more brilliant appearance; but none who have such a natural, unconscious grace." "Really, mother," said Clara, smiling, "you have grown an enthusiast. If you were a young man, I think this would be a case of love at first sight." "If I were a young man, and about to fall in love at first sight with any one in this room, it would be with her," said the mother, smiling in return. "I saw Edward sitting by her side a little while ago, and looking into her face as if he had forgotten that there was anybody else in the room." "Edward! Is it possible? Does he know her?"