the same bright bloom with which they were now glowing, her champion
acknowledged that his wager would be lost.

In about half an hour the gentleman with whom Miss Larolles had been
talking, left the room, and then that young lady, turning suddenly
to Cecilia, exclaimed, "How odd Mr Meadows is! Do you know, he says
he shan't be well enough to go to Lady Nyland's assembly! How
ridiculous! as if that could hurt him."

Cecilia, surprised at an attack so little ceremonious, lent her a
civil, but silent attention.

"You shall be there, shan't you?" she added.

"No, ma'am, I have not the honour of being at all known to her
ladyship."

"Oh, there's nothing in that," returned she, "for Mrs Harrel can
acquaint her you are here, and then, you know, she'll send you a
ticket, and then you can go."

"A ticket?" repeated Cecilia, "does Lady Nyland only admit her
company with tickets?"

"Oh, lord!" cried Miss Larolles, laughing immoderately, "don't you
know what I mean? Why, a ticket is only a visiting card, with a name
upon it; but we all call them tickets now."

Cecilia thanked her for the information, and then Miss Larolles
enquired how many miles she had travelled since morning?