and full—the mobility of his most flexible mouth. He lacked the calm of force, but its movement and its fire he signally possessed.
Meantime the whole hall was in a stir; most people rose and remained standing for a change; some walked about, all talked and laughed. The crimson compartment presented a peculiarly animated scene. The long cloud of gentlemen, breaking into fragments, mixed with the rainbow line of ladies; two or three officer-like men approached the King and conversed with him. The Queen, leaving her chair, glided along the rank of young ladies, who all stood up as she passed; and to each in turn I saw her vouchsafe some token of kindness—a gracious word, look or smile. To the two pretty English girls, Lady Sara and Ginevra Fanshawe, she addressed several sentences; as she left them, both, and especially the latter, seemed to glow all over with gratification. They were afterwards accosted by several ladies, and a little circle of gentlemen gathered round them, amongst these—the nearest to Ginevra—stood the Count de Hamal.
"This room is stiflingly hot", said Dr. Bretton, rising with sudden impatience. "Lucy—mother—will you come a moment to the fresh air?"
"Go with him, Lucy", said Mrs. Bretton. "I would rather keep my seat".
Willingly would I have kept mine also, but Graham's desire must take precedence of my own; I accompanied him.
We found the night air keen, or at least, I did; he did not seem to feel it, but it was very still, and the star-sown sky spread cloudless. I was wrapped in a fur shawl. We took some turns on the pavement; in passing under a lamp, Graham encountered my eye.
"You look pensive, Lucy; is it on my account?"
"I was only fearing that you were grieved".
"Not at all—so be of good cheer—as I am. Whenever I die, Lucy, my persuasion is that it will not be of heart-complaint. I may be stung, I may seem to droop for a time, but no pain or malady of sentiment has yet gone through my whole system. You have always seen me cheerful at home?"
"Generally".
"I am glad she laughed at my mother. I would not give the old lady for a dozen beauties. That sneer did me all the
