“When I first saw our boy, what a shock of mingled joy and pain the sight gave me! I scarcely needed the chambermaid’s information that he was Mrs. Lyon’s little son. I knew him at once from his likeness to his mother. True, he has the hair and eyes of our family, but he has his mother’s beautiful brows and sweet lips. Ah! what a dolt! what an ass! what a pig I have been!” inwardly groaned Alexander, still grinding his teeth together. But soon his rage was diverted from himself to Drusilla’s partner. “There she goes,” he muttered—“swimming through the dance as happily as if I were not in existence, and were not so wretched. And, set fire to that fellow! how his eyes follow her and seem to feast—— Ugh! yes, I will be shot if I don’t call him out!” “Hallo, Kill.! how do you do? Good evening. Fine company assembled here this evening. Good many distinguished foreigners present—nearly the whole diplomatic corps also. But all that is nothing to the debut of the celebrated beauty. You know her, of course,” said young Frederic Dorimas, coming up to Alexander’s side. “You know her?” “Know whom?” said Drusilla’s husband, evasively. “Why, the beautiful young widow who is turning all heads this evening.” “No, I know no young widow here.” “Then you are a very lucky fellow in having such a pleasure still to come; and I shall be happy to present you. Now, no thanks, my dear fellow, because I don’t deserve them. My own heart and hand being already engaged to another young lady, I am not free to become a candidate for the beautiful widow’s favor, and so I will not play the part of the dog in the manger. Come as soon as this dance is over, and I will take you up and introduce you.” “Much obliged; but I prefer to decline the honor,” said Alexander, coldly bowing and turning away from his new tormentor. “Eh, Kill., not dancing this evening? and looking as glum as if you had lost a sweetheart or a fortune. What’s the matter? Did you bet on a losing horse, or fail to get an introduction to the lovely Mrs. Lyon?” “Go to the demon with your lovely Mrs. Lyon!” burst out the sorely tried Alick. “With great pleasure, or anywhere else in the universe with _her_. But, hark you, my lord! I am not accustomed to receive such answers from gentlemen; and by my life, sir——” But Alexander had turned on his heel and walked off again, leaving the last speaker in the middle of his speech. Alick, in his utter wretchedness, was behaving very much like a brute. He had already insulted one gentleman and affronted another. He was sure of being called out by young Hepsworth of the dragoons, and he was strongly inclined to call out some half dozen other gentlemen who had been guilty of dancing with Drusilla and delighting in the honor. He passed on, growling inward curses, and so for some moments lost sight of his young wife. When he saw her next, she was seated in the bay window, with her court of worshipers around her. She alone occupied the sofa.