CHAP. XVI.

IMPRESSIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS.

We have still pleasant weather, and I have been enjoying a delightful hour with Helen among her favourite rocks, watching the distant roll of the tide, and talking over our day of gaiety. Helen was very anxious to know my opinion of her behaviour. I felt pleasure in commending it, only adding, "I thought once you were a little out of humour with something at Mrs. Ainslie's-you certainly were very silent during the latter part of your stay there." "Was I? Did I look cross?" "No, I did not say that; but you seemed particularly reserved: did you feel so?"

"I felt very happy all the first part of the time, and indeed I enjoyed myself very much: but something put me in mind that I might be more unlike other people than I was fancying myself: so then, I suppose, I drew in and felt stiff."

"But why? What were you afraid of?" "I was afraid of being ridiculous." "What could put that idea into your head?" "Well, there was a reason. I noticed that young lady, Miss Wilkinson, was excited by her enjoyment. They were all very kind to her, but I saw they thought it foolish to show it in the way she did. Of course she did not see the look that passed between Miss Laura and her brother when she was giggling about someone she had danced with. I saw it, and it made me think that I might be rather an oddfashioned girl, and the less I showed of myself

the better."

"Do they quiz at your school?"

"They used often, at first, to make fun of me; but I never let them make me angry now. I manage better, and they have almost left off." "I understand: you look as much like a machine as possible-hard and cold. I assure you it tried my patience to see you that day at Mrs. Thomason's. However, I will say I think you were right yesterday in being a little reserved, considering you were mixing for the first time in a numerous party of strangers." "Oh, but I enjoyed myself wonderfully-at Cardington Castle too. I never thought to have such pleasant times in my life. It was like one

of my dreams, only that now and then I could not help wondering if people thought me awk. ward-out of place."

"I could see no fault: but now tell me, how did you manage with your partners?"

"I hardly know-I mean as to what they thought of me as a partner. I was inclined to let them do the talking, and some of them did not get on at all."

"What! would you not help them? That was cruel!"

"I answered when they spoke, as well as I could, and of course, as long as they kept to the weather, I could say as much as any of them. I don't know that I was not a little pleased to find one gentleman appear rather more awkward and puzzled what to say than myself. I did try to help him. He was the third who had said to me that it was a remark. ably beautiful day. I continued the subject by saying such weather was very acceptable after the cold winter we had had. He repeated a cold winter-a very cold winter we have had,' in quite a grateful tone; and neither of us got any further."

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But all your partners were not of the silent sort?"

"No: there was one I wished had been. What do you think he entertained me with while we were dancing the Lancers? Why, a dreadful murder in London! He was so much interested in his own horrors, that he kept forgetting the figure. It was the most curious performance."

"Now, Helen, those must have been your worst partners: tell me who were your best?"

"O, I had some very grand ones-at least to me they were very grand. I danced the first and fourth dances with Mr. Mainwaring, and two with a Mr. Travers, who is a cavalry officer."