which he had distinguished her in handing her to the top of the room to open the ball with him. Philimore was then but little known to her, and her heart, free as the breeze which sports upon the summer meadow, had bounded with delight to the attentions of the amiable Valpée.
At the appointed hour Valpée was announced, and with ease and grace presented himself to Mrs. De Brooke. Having mixed more with the world, and entirely quitted his college avocations, his manners, though somewhat tinctured with reserve, were less so than formerly; he asked after the Misses De Brooke, whom, being seated in a back drawing-room, opening into the front by folding-doors, he did not immediately perceive.
"There they are to speak for themselves," replied their mother.
He turned, and with a mild respectful air bowed, and advanced to join them.
The conversation turned upon Sir Charles and Lady Valpée, of whom he spoke with the most filial regard. In the corner of the apartment stood the harp of Oriana, which recalled the memory of the past; he fain would renew, by a repetition of its tones, but scarce dared to express the desire he felt of being thus indulged.
A graceful negligence and disengaged ease invested Oriana, such as is seldom met with but in females whose manners have been improved by intercourse with the other sex, and have, in consequence, lost
