"I'll tell you how to make it easier to abstain. Stop studying, and write a novel into which you can put all your wise things, and so clear your brains for a new start by and by. Do: I should _so_ like to read it," cried Rose, delighted with the project; for she was sure Mac could do any thing he liked in that line. "First live, then write. How can I go to romancing till I know what romance means?" he asked soberly, feeling that so far he had had very little in his life. "Then you must find out, and nothing will help you more than to love some one very much. Do as I've advised, and be a modern Diogenes going about with spectacles, instead of a lantern, in search, not of an honest man, but a perfect woman. I do hope you will be successful," and Rose made her courtesy as the dance ended. "I don't expect perfection, but I _should_ like one as good as they ever make them now-a-days. If you are looking for the honest man, I wish you success in return," said Mac, relinquishing her fan with a glance of such sympathetic significance that a quick flush of feeling rose to the girl's face, as she answered very low,-- "If honesty was all I wanted, I certainly have found it in you." Then she went away with Charlie, who was waiting for his turn, and Mac roamed about, wondering if anywhere in all that crowd his future wife was hidden, saying to himself, as he glanced from face to face, quite unresponsive to the various allurements displayed,-- "What care I how fair she be, If she be not fair for me?" Just before supper, several young ladies met in the dressing-room to repair damages; and, being friends, they fell into discourse, as they smoothed their locks, and had their tattered furbelows sewed or pinned up by the neat-handed Phillis in waiting. When each had asked the other, "How do I look to-night, dear?" and been answered with reciprocal enthusiasm, "Perfectly lovely, darling!" Kitty said to Rose, who was helping her to restore order out of the chaos to which much exercise had reduced her curls,-- "By the way, young Randal is dying to be presented to you. May I after supper?" "No, thank you," answered Rose, very decidedly. "Well, I'm sure I don't see why not," began Kitty, looking displeased, but not surprised. "I think you do, else why didn't you present him when he asked? You seldom stop to think of etiquette: why did you now?" "I didn't like to do it till I had--you are so particular--I thought you'd say 'No;' but I couldn't tell him so," stammered Kitty, feeling that she had better have settled the matter herself; for Rose _was_ very particular, and had especial reason to dislike this person, because he was not only a dissipated young reprobate himself, but seemed possessed of Satan to lead others astray likewise.