"I said I should not dance, but I did not say I would not talk, Mr. Spottiswoode; how very anxious you are to take up one's meaning." Mr. Spottiswoode only bowed to retire. Miss Wycherly softened the pettishness of her accent. "Do stay, Mr. Spottiswoode, I have something particular to ask you; you flurry one with your rapidity." Mr. Spottiswoode sat down. "I am all attention, Miss Wycherly." "How can you look so cross at me, and speak in such dry tones, Charles Spottiswoode! I hate cross people." "Then answer me one simple question in truth and sincerity, or I am gone for ever, Penelope Wycherly." "Gads! how you plague one! Well, what is it?" "I will know whether you mean to accept me after all this flippancy. If you do not intend it, say so; but I demand a reply." "Then you wish to flirt with Lady Anna, Mr. Charles, and you think "'It is good to be off with the old love, Before you be on with the new.'" "You have not answered me," returned Mr. Spottiswoode, seriously; "answer me, as you hope yourself to be fairly treated." "I vow I don't know what I mean; it is very difficult to make one's choice among such a variety of Lords of the creation. I have not been introduced to Mr. Jones yet. I can't say I admire Tom's friend." "I am answered, Miss Wycherly; I wish you good night." Mr. Spottiswoode turned from the coquette, and walked up the dancing-room, without attending to Miss Wycherly's recall. The lady became alarmed. Was Mr. Spottiswoode's movement really intentional, or was he showing her how indifferently he could take leave, to compel her into acceptance? There he was positively talking to Lady Anna Herbert, and looking perfectly composed. Lady Anna was a notorious flirt, but she should not entrap Charles Spottiswoode! Miss Wycherly was not accustomed to be treated with _nonchalance_; and that Mr. Spottiswoode, her lover of long standing, should summon courage enough to stand upon the defensive against her coquetry, piqued her to the soul. She sought Julia, who was dancing with Lord Ennismore. "Miss Wycherly unattended!" cried Mr. Henry Tyndal, as he met her on her way to the dancers, "take my arm." "Be quiet," said the lady, passing on with her glass raised to her eye, "do be quiet." "Miss Wycherly, you are after mischief; you are darting arrows at some poor wretch through that missile," continued young Tyndal, following her. "I am darting nothing, unless you are my arrow, in which case I should delight to throw you to an incredible distance." "You are witty, Miss Wycherly," returned young Tyndal, "and whenever you are witty, you are angry." Miss Wycherly made no reply; she saw and approached Julia. "Julia Wetheral, I beseech you to do me a service." "I will gladly assist you, if it is in my power," replied Julia; "what is required of me?" "Oh, leave the dance, and listen to me. Lord Ennismore will follow us, when he perceives you have quitted the set; here let us be seated, and I will tell you my anxiety."