unmarried ladies, and frowned upon promiscuous dancing for matrons,
she yet managed to regulate the social code of the neighborhood in
both these respects, was imitated and quoted by the most discreet of
chaperones and belles.

Mr. Dorrance was Mabel's partner; Rosa stood up with Randolph
Harrison, a gay youth, who was her latest attache; Tom Barksdale led
out a blushing, yet sprightly school-girl, and Imogene was his
vis-a-vis supported by an ancient admirer, who had comforted himself
for her preference for another man by falling in love with a
prettier woman. The room was decorated with garlands of running
cedar--a vine known in higher latitudes as "ground-pine," and which
carpeted acres of the Ridgeley woods. The vases on the mantel were
filled with holly, and other gayly colored berry boughs, while
roses, lemon and orange blossoms, mignonette and violets from the
conservatory were set about on tables and brackets, blending fresher
and more wholesome odors with those of the Parisian extracts wafted
from the ladies' dresses and handkerchiefs.

Mr. Aylett had--accidentally, it would seem--his wife understood
that the action was premeditated--stationed himself at an angle to
the piano that allowed him a fair view of her, and did not grudge
the merriest bachelor there his share of enjoyment, while he could
keep furtive watch upon the changeful countenance, the Sappho-like
head, and the delicate hands which one could have thought made the
music, rather than did the obedient keys they touched. The wedded
lovers had taste and pride in equal proportions, and a parade of
their satisfaction in one another for the edification or amusement
of indifferent spectators would have been revolting to both, but the
ray that sped from half-averted eyes, from time to time, and was