your Family and my Aunt are already gone."

"Gone, without you! what's the meaning of that? But I suppose you are like myself, rather longin dreſsing."

"I must have been so indeed, if that were the case for they have been gone nearly these twohours; The reason however was not whatyou suppose – I was prevented going by a pain —

"By a pain! interrupted Stanley, Oh! heavens,that is dreadful indeed! No Matter where the painwas. But my dear Miſs ^Percival Peterson, what do you say to my accompanying you? And supposeyou were to dance with me too? I think itwould be very pleasant."

"I can have no objection to either I am sure, said Kitty laughing to find how near the truth her Maid's congecture had been; on the contrary I shall be highly honoured by both, and I can answer foryour being extremely welcome to the Family whogive the Ball."

"Oh! hang them; who cares for that; they cannot turn me out of the house. But I am afraid I