"However, in all the freaks that vanity and fashion play, there have been, and ever will be, some redeeming characters, who mix with all the _fanfaronnade_ of the day, and yet remain uninfected with the epidemic follies. She, for instance," indicating Lady Glenmore with a look; "can any thing be more young and fresh, in mind and heart as well as years, more gay, more natural?" "Certainly not; and it is quite invigorating to witness her unsophisticated manners, and the genuine entertainment she derives from that which she is come professedly to be diverted by; but then the more's the pity, for it will not last long thus." "Do not forebode evil," replied Lord Raynham, who was in one of his best _couleur de rose_ humours; "remember there were, and are, among the _précieuses ridicules, depuis tout les temps, des Mesdames de Sevigné et de Connel_, and I forget all their names, who retained their own innocent individuality, and their natural grace of mind, amid the most decided affectation and the most ridiculous pretensions." "Yes, but they were exceptions to general rules; and I do not augur so well of that one," still meaning Lady Glenmore, "under the care of that _Alcoviste_," alluding to Mr. Leslie Winyard. "Is not that Lady Tilney sitting alone in her box?" asked Lord Raynham: "I must go make my obeisance, as in duty bound, or I may chance to be discarded; and as we have no Molière to overturn our Hôtel de Rambouillet[1], we had better keep its door open to us." [Footnote 1: Vide Molière's Preface to Les Précieuses Ridicules.] "Agreed," said Mr. Spencer Newcombe; and, bowing to Lady Glenmore, they departed, leaving Mr. Leslie Winyard tenaciously keeping his conspicuous place, with cane at lip, and glove in hand, and eyes that were gathering the observations passed upon him with lynx-like sharpness, while they seemed half closed in listless or consequential apathy. In a few minutes after, the curtain dropped. "Oh!" said Lady Glenmore, "I am so sorry it is over! I do not know when I have been so amused." "I, too, am sorry it is over; but _amused_ is not exactly the explanation I should give of the _cause of my regret_;" and he endeavoured that his eyes should explain what he _did_ mean. "No!" said Lady Glenmore with perfect _naiveté_; "then perhaps you have seen the play often before, and have been looking at the company, not at the stage?" "Did you ever play at the game called Magical Music?" asked Mr. Leslie Winyard; "and if so, and that I were the performer on the instrument, I should now touch it _forte fortissime_, for you are very near guessing the truth."