such notions; and now here's this horrid book going to make you more
nervous than ever. I shall have you getting up one night and
shrieking about burning, immutable eyes looking at you."

I laughed merrily as I rose to pick up the discarded volume from the
floor.

"Don't be afraid," I said; "I'll give back the book to Signor
Cellini to-morrow, and I will tell him that you do not like the idea
of my reading it, and that I am going to study the Bible instead.
Come now, dear, don't look cross!" and I embraced her warmly, for I
liked her far too well to wish to offend her. "Let us concentrate
our attention on our finery for to-night, when a 'dense and
brilliant multitude,' not of air, but of the 'earth earthy,' will
pass us under critical survey. I assure you I mean to make the best
of my improved looks, as I don't believe they will last. I dare say
I shall be the 'sick nun' that you termed me again to-morrow."

"I hope not, dearest," said my friend kindly, returning my caress
and forgetting her momentary ill-humour. "A jolly dance will do you
good if you are careful to avoid over-exertion. But you are quite
right, we must really fix our things ready for the evening, else we
shall be all in a flurry at the last moment, and nothing riles the
Colonel so much as to see women in a fuss. I shall wear my lace
dress; but it wants seeing to. Will you help me?"

Readily assenting, we were soon deep in the arrangement of the
numberless little mysteries that make up a woman's toilette; and
nothing but the most frivolous conversation ensued. But as I
assisted in the sorting of laces, jewels, and other dainty