shall not stay five minutes."

Buckhurst returned to be introduced to Miss Hauton. This young lady was
so beautiful that she would, in all probability, have attracted general
attention, even if she had not been the sister of a man of Colonel Hauton's
fortune, and the niece of a nobleman of Lord Oldborough's political
consequence; but undoubtedly these circumstances much increased the power
of her charms over the imaginations of her admirers. All the gentlemen
at this hall were unanimous in declaring that she was a most fascinating
creature. Buckhurst Falconer and Godfrey Percy were introduced to her
nearly at the same time. Godfrey asked her to dance--and Buckhurst could
not help staying to see her. She danced so gracefully, that while he
thought he had stayed only five minutes, he delayed a quarter of an hour.
Many gentlemen were ambitious of the honour of Miss Hauton's hand; but, to
their disappointment, she declined dancing any more; and though Buckhurst
Falconer had determined not to have stayed, nor to dance with her, yet
an undefinable perverse curiosity induced him to delay a few minutes to
determine whether she conversed as well as she danced. The sound of her
voice was sweet and soft, and there was an air of languor in her whole
person and manner, with an apparent indifference to general admiration,
which charmed Godfrey Percy, especially as he perceived, that she could
be animated by his conversation. To Buckhurst's wit she listened with
politeness, but obviously without interest. Buckhurst looked at his watch
again--but it was now too late for the mail. Rosamond was surprised to
see him still in the ball-room. He laid all the blame on his father, and
pleaded that he was detained by parental orders which he could not disobey.
He sat beside Rosamond at supper, and used much eloquence to convince her
that he had obeyed against his will.

In the mean time Godfrey, seated next to his fair partner, became every