The Major rose at the moment, and strengthened the request by adding, "Will you do me that honour, Mr. Peters?" The young man bowed slightly, and without answering moved to the front of the happy widow, followed by the obsequious Major, and said, "Major Allen wishes to be introduced to you, Mrs. Barnaby.... Major Allen, Mrs. Barnaby." It was not without an effort that this consummation of her dearest hopes was received with some tolerable appearance of external composure by the lady; but she felt that the moment was an important one, and called up all her energy to support her under it. Perhaps she blushed, but that, for obvious reasons, was not perceptible; but she cast down her eyes upon her fan, and then raised them again to the face of the bending Major with a look that really said a great deal. The established questions and answers in use on such occasions were going on with great zeal and animation on both sides, when a fresh source of gratification presented itself to the widow in the approach of Mr. Frederick Stephenson to Agnes, in a manner as flatteringly decided as that of the Major to herself; but, being quite a stranger to the Peters family, he was preceded by the master of the ceremonies, who whispered his name and family to Mrs. Peters, asking permission to present him to the young lady in mourning, who appeared to be of her party. This was of course readily accorded; when the introduction took place, and was followed by a petition from the young man for the honour of dancing with her. Agnes looked a vast deal more beautiful than he had ever dared to believe possible through her veil as she answered, "I am engaged." "Then the next?" said Mr. Stephenson eagerly. Agnes bowed her blushing assent, and the young man continued to stand before her, going through pretty nearly the same process as the Major. This lasted till the quadrilles began to form, when James Peters claimed her hand for the dance. Two of the Miss Peters soon followed, when Major Allen said, "As the young ladies are forsaking you, madam, may you not be induced to make a party at whist?" "I should have no objection whatever, Major," replied Mrs. Barnaby, "provided there was room at a table where they did not play high." "Of course, if I have the honour of making a table for you, my dear madam, the stakes will be of your own naming.... Will you permit me to go and see what can be done?" "You are excessively kind.... I shall be greatly obliged." The active Mars departed instantly, with a step, if not as light, at least as zealous in its speed, as that of Mercury when bent upon one of his most roguish errands, and in a wonderfully short space of time he returned with the intelligence that a table was waiting for her. He then presented his arm, which she took with condescending dignity, and led her off. "Ah! sure a pair were never seen, So justly formed to meet by nature!"