Du Meresq's conduct seemed inexplicable and provoking as she pondered
indignantly on her walk at the Humber, and mentally ejaculated with Miss
Squeers, "Is this the hend?"

Jack, temporarily discouraged by her indifference to himself, which came
on rather rapidly at dinner, gave his next neighbour the benefit of his
conversation.

But this unsatisfactory repast to our heroines was not unnecessarily
prolonged, the mess-room having to be cleared for the great business of
the evening, which, let us hope will prove what it is sure to be called
in next day's discussion "a very good ball."

Why this undescriptive phrase should be applied to every well-attended
dance, with a supper, has always perplexed us; for, of course, every one
really judges it by his or her own personal success and enjoyment, not
unfrequently incompatible with that of some one else. Yet it is all
summed up next morning in the summary verdict "good," or "bad." If there
is a deficiency of gentlemen, space, supper, or _ton_, the latter; but
given these indispensables, you may have been jilted for your bosom
friend by your latest conquest, yet you must come up smiling, and endorse
the public panegyric on the hated evening till the subject be superseded.

Bluebell, a few weeks ago, would have looked upon this ball as the acme
of delight. She was in great request, and, indeed, attained that highest
object of young lady ambition, being belle of the evening; but now her
happiness did not depend on the many--dance after dance passed, and the
only partner she cared for had not once engaged her.

Bertie had been sitting out half the evening with Lilla in a