Lucy came forward, bending down her ambrosial curls, and blushing,as a modest young woman should: for, in truth, the scrape was somewhatawkward. And as for John Perkins, he made a start, and then a stepforwards, and then two backwards, and then began laying arms uponhis black satin stock--in short, the sun did not shine at thatmoment upon a man who looked so exquisitely foolish.

"Miss Lucy Gorgon, is your aunt--is Mrs. Briggs here?" exclaimed LadyGorgon, drawing herself up with much state.