"Are you not ashamed, sir, to charge me with untruth?" said Lucy, nearly bursting into laughter. "Untruth!" cried Hoffland; "did any body ever! Why, 'tis the commonest thing in the world with your charming sex, Miss Lucy, to indulge in these little ruses. There must be a real and a conventional code of morals; and I hope you don't pretend to say, that if a lady sends word that she is gone out when a visitor calls, she is guilty of deception?" "I think she is," said Lucy. "Extraordinary doctrine!" cried Hoffland; "and so Ernest has really engaged to go with you?" "Yes, sir; it was my excuse to Mr. Denis, who very kindly offered to be my escort." And Lucy gave Jack Denis a little smile which elevated that gentleman into upper air. "Well," said Hoffland, "I suppose then I am to go and find somebody else--a forlorn young man going to find a lady to take care of him. Come, Miss Lucy, cannot you recommend some one?" "Let me see," said Lucy, laughing gleefully; "what acquaintances have you?" "Very few; and I would not escort any of those simpering little damsels usually seen at assemblies." "What description of damsel do you prefer?" asked Lucy, smiling. "A fine, spirited, amusing young lady like yourself," said Hoffland; "the merrier and more ridiculous the better." "Ridiculous, indeed! Well, sir," said Lucy mischievously, "I think I have found the very one to suit you." "Who is it, pray?" "Miss Philippa----" "Stop!" cried Hoffland. "I never could bear that name. I am determined never to court, marry, or even escort a _Philippa_. Dreadful name! And I hope you won't mention this Miss Philippa Somebody again!" With which words Hoffland laughed. "Very well," said Lucy; "suppose you come and amuse me at the ball--going thither alone?" "Oh! myself and Mr. Denis will certainly pay our respects to you, Miss Lucy. But do not expect me until about twelve." Lucy smiled, and said: "Do you think the ball will be handsome, Ernest?" "I think so." "Well, now, I am going to enslave all hearts. I shall wear my pink satin." "Ah!" laughed Mowbray; "that is very interesting to myself and these gentlemen." "Well, sir," said Lucy, pretending to be angry, "just as you please; but you are a very unfeeling brother. Isn't he, Mr. Hoffland?" "A most unreasonable person, and a disgrace to our sex," said Hoffland. "To tell a young lady that the manner in which she proposes appearing at a ball is uninteresting, sounds like Ernest." Mowbray smiled; the pleasant banter of the boy pleased him, and diverted his thoughts. "But Ernest is not such a perfect ogre, Mr. Hoffland," said Lucy; "are you, Ernest? He is very kind, and is going to spend all day to-morrow with me." Mowbray shook his head. "Now, brother!" said Lucy; "you know you can." Mowbray hesitated. "Won't you?" "Well, yes, Lucy," said Mowbray, smiling; "I can refuse you nothing."