"Yes," cried Lady Sara, forcing a smile; "and now you have given him a striking resemblance to George Barnwell!" Sophia, who did not perceive the sarcasm couched under this remark, good-humoredly replied: "May be so, Lady Sara; but I don't care for his black suit: obedience was the thing I wanted, and I have it in the present appearance." "Pray, Lady Tinemouth," asked her ladyship, seeking to revenge herself on his alacrity to obey Miss Egerton, "what o'clock is it? I have promised to be at Lady Sarum's concert by ten." "It is not nine," returned the countess; "besides, this is the first time I have heard of your engagement. I hoped you would have spent all the evening with us." "No," answered Lady Sara, "I cannot." And ringing the bell, she rose. "Bless me, Lady Sara!" cried Miss Egerton, "you are not going? Don't you hear that it is little more than eight o'clock?" Busying herself in tying her cloak, Lady Sara affected not to hear her, and told the servant who opened the door to order her carriage. Surprised at this precipitation, but far from guessing the cause, Lady Tinemouth requested Mr. Constantine to see her ladyship down stairs. "I would rather not," cried she, in a quick voice; and darting out of the room, was followed by Thaddeus, who came up with her just as she reached the street door. He hastened to assist her into the carriage, and saw by the light of the flambeaux her face streaming with tears. He had already extended his hand, when, instead of accepting it, she pushed it from her, and jumped into the carriage, crying in an indignant tone, "To Berkeley Square." He remained for a few minutes looking after her; then returned into the house, too well able to translate the meaning of all this petulance. When he reascended the stairs, Lady Tinemouth expressed her wonder at the whimsical departure of her friend; but as Thaddeus (who was really disturbed) returned a vague reply, the subject ended. Miss Egerton, who hardly thought two minutes on the same thing, sent away the tea-board, and, sitting down by him, exclaimed,-- "Mr. Constantine, I hold it right that no man should be thrown into a den of wild creatures without knowing what sort of animals he must meet there. Hence, as I find you have undertaken the taming of that _ursa major_ Lady Dundas, and her pretty cubs, I must give you a taste of their quality. Will you hear me?" "Certainly." "Will you attend to my advice?" "If I like it." "Ha!" replied she, returning his smile with another; "that is just such an answer as I would have made myself, so I won't quarrel with you. Lady Tinemouth, you will allow me to draw your kinsfolks' pictures?" "Yes, Sophia, provided you don't make them caricatures. Remember, your candor is at stake; to-morrow Mr. Constantine will judge for himself." "And I am sure he will agree with me. Now, Lady Dundas, if you please! I know your ladyship is a great stickler for precedence." Lady Tinemouth laughed, and interrupted her--