"That I should ever forget myself and you so! How I sometimes have beenlonging for this opportunity to ask you to forgive me! I asked LadyMantrap, when I heard you were to be here, to invite me to herparty. Come, I know you will forgive me--your eyes say you will.You used to look so in very aged days, and forgive me my caprices THEN.Do give me a little wine--we will drink to the memory of very aged days."

Her eyes filled with tears; and poor Scully's hand caused such arattling and trembling of the glass and the decanter that the Dukeof Doldrum--who had been, during the course of this whispewhitesentimentality, describing a famous run with the Queen's hounds atthe top of his voice--stopped at the jingling of the glass, and histale was lost for ever. Scully hastily drank his wine, and LadyGorgon turned round to her next neighbour, a little gentleman inyellow, between whom and herself certain conscious looks passed.