with you during the evening."

"My daughter, my daughter!" interrupted Mrs. Chapman, motioning with her
fan, "pray don't be eccentric to-night. Accept the honor Mr. Gusher
intended and please me--if only for once."

"I am sure, mamma, I always try to please you," returned Mattie, "and I
appreciate the honor Mr. Gusher would do me, knowing how much my dear
mamma admires him." Here Mattie paused for a moment and tapped her
fingers with her fan, as the young man who had stood by her side turned
and walked away for a moment. "It was very thoughtless of me, mother,"
resumed Mattie, ("you know I am only a thoughtless girl, after all)--but
the truth is I am already engaged for the first dance."

"Engaged, my daughter, engaged?" Mrs. Chapman rejoined. "Pray, who to?
It was very strange of you!" Here the young man returned to Mattie's
side.

"Allow me to introduce you to my mother, Mr. Romer," said Mattie. "Mr.
Romer, Mr. Gusher,--a friend of our family." Mrs. Chapman made a
courtesy, and the two gentlemen bowed formally and coldly.

"If I mistake not," said Mr. Romer, who was a young man of polished
manners, slender of form, with a frank, open countenance, and evidently
a gentleman, "we have met before." He kept his eyes fixed on Gusher, as
if resolved to read his thoughts in the changes that were going on in
his countenance.

"Pardon, pardon, monsieur," returned Mr. Gusher, affecting an air of
self-confidence supported by innocence. "I ne-var re-mem-bar as we has