"So I am--but not a friend to your faults."

"Surely it is no great crime in a young man to like going to a ball better
than going to the Temple! But I am really concerned," continued Buckhurst,
"that I have deprived Miss Caroline Percy of the pleasure of being here
to-night--and this was to have been her first appearance in public--I am
quite sorry."

"Caroline is not at all impatient to appear in public; and as to the
pleasure of being at a ball, it costs her little to sacrifice that, or any
pleasure of her own, for the advantage of others."

"When Miss Caroline Percy said something about my falling in her father's
opinion for such a trifle, I could not guess that she was serious."

"She does not," replied Rosamond, "think it a trifle to break a promise."

Buckhurst looked at his watch. "The mail-coach will pass through this town
in an hour. It shall take me to London--Good bye--I will not stay another
moment--I am gone. I wish I had gone yesterday--pray, my dear, good
Rosamond, say so for me to Caroline."

At this moment a beautiful young lady, attended by a large party, entered
the ball-room. Buckhurst stopped to inquire who she was.

"Did you never see my sister before?" replied Colonel Hauton--"Oh! I must
introduce you, and you shall dance with her."

"You do me a great deal of honour--I shall be very happy--that is, I should