"But perhaps Mr. Godfrey Percy may have other engagements," said she, with
a timid persuasive tone, which Godfrey found it extremely difficult to
resist.

"Bellamy! where the d----l do you come from?--Very glad to see you, faith!"
cried the colonel, going forward to shake hands with a very handsome man,
who had just then entered the room. "Maria," said Colonel Hauton, turning
to his sister, "don't you know Bellamy?--Bellamy," repeated he, coming
close to her, whilst the gentleman was paying his compliments to Lady
Oldborough, "Captain Bellamy, with whom you used to waltz every night, you
know, at--what's the name of the woman's?"

"I never waltzed with him but once--or twice, that I remember," said Miss
Hauton, "and then because you insisted upon it."

"I!--Well, I did very right if I did, because you were keeping all the
world waiting, and I knew you intended to do it at last--so I thought you
might as well do it at first. But I don't know what's the matter with you
this morning--we must drive a little spirit into you at Cheltenham."

Captain Bellamy came up to pay his respects, or rather his compliments, to
Miss Hauton: there was no respect in his manner, but the confidence of one
who had been accustomed to be well received.

"She has not been well--fainted last night at a ball--is _hipped_
this morning; but we'll get her spirits up again when we have her at
Cheltenham--We shall be a famous dashing party! I have been beating up for
recruits all day--here's one," said Colonel Hauton, turning to Godfrey
Percy.