room was thrown open, occasioned a general rush. Lady Marchmont had not yet attained that elegant audacity which forces its way through trains, ruffles, elbows, &c.; and, with the exception of Lord Harvey, who was handing her forward, she completely lost her party. Her attention was engrossed by a young female, who, only accompanied by an elderly gentleman, was quite incapable of either advancing, or even extricating herself from the crowd. Henrietta saw at once that the youthful stranger was unaccustomed to such a scene, and that she was even more embarrassed than fatigued. They were so close that they touched each other, till the lady leant for support against Lady Marchmont. It was but for a moment; and, recovering herself, she apologised in a voice so sweet, and so timid, that Henrietta felt a sudden and voluntary interest,—one of those attractions for which we can as little account as we can resist. She drew the arm of the trembling girl within her own, and said,—"Suppose we try and make way to the window, we can sit there; and
