This last sneering remark, I considered a compliment. My charming Kate, looked as fresh and natural as a new-blown rose with the morning dew still fresh upon its petals. There was nothing studied or affected about her--no appearance of display--no effort to attract admiration; she was an unsophisticated child of nature, and the delightful frankness, with which she received the homage of the male portion of the company, was quite a contrast to the supercilious airs of the fashionable belles. The opinion of the gentlemen with regard to the fair _debutante_, was quite the reverse of those given by her own sex. "What a lovely girl!" "What an easy graceful carriage!" "Did you ever see a more charming expression--a more bewitching smile? A perfect lady from head to foot." "I have lost _my_ heart already." "By Jove! won't she make a noise in the gay world!" "The beauty of the season." "A prize, independent of her large for tune!" "And doubly a prize with." And thus the men prated of her among themselves. The excitement at length subsided; and favoured by the obscurity of my situation, I could watch at a distance all her movements, and never tire of gazing upon that beaming face. By some strange coincidence, I could hardly think it purely accidental, Mrs. Hepburn and her niece came up to the table upon which I was leaning. I rose up in confusion, wondering if they would recognize me, and offered the elder lady my chair. In my hurry and agitation, the portfolio fell from my hand, and the fine prints were scattered over the floor and table. A general laugh arose at my expense; I felt annoyed, but laughed as loudly as the rest. Miss Lee, very good-naturedly assisted me in restoring the prints to their place, then looking earnestly in my face for a few seconds, she said--"Surely, I am not deceived--you are the gentleman who rescued me from that frightful situation in Oxford Street." "The same," said I, with a smile. "How delighted I am to meet you once more," she exclaimed, giving me her hand, and warmly shaking mine; "I was afraid that I should never see you again. And your name--you must tell me your name." "Geoffrey Moncton. But, Miss Lee, do not distress me by thinking so much of a trifling service, which gave me so much pleasure." "Trifling! do you call it? Sir, you saved my life, and I never can forget the debt of gratitude I owe you. Aunt," turning to Mrs. Hepburn, "do you remember this gentleman? How often we have talked that adventure over, and wondered who my preserver was. It is such a pleasure to see him here." The old lady, though not quite so eloquent as her niece, was kind enough in her way. Wishing to change the subject, I asked Miss Lee if she drew? "A little." "Let us examine these beautiful prints," said I. I gave her a chair, and leant over her. My heart fluttered with delight. I forgot my recent mortification. I was near her, and, in the rapture of the moment, could have defied the malice of the whole world.