beginning to end, folded it up coolly when she had finished it, and simply
said, "The _person alluded to_ is almost as bad as her name at full
length: does Mrs. Stanhope think no one can make out an inuendo in a
libel, or fill up a blank, but an attorney-general?" pointing to a blank
in Mrs. Stanhope's letter, left for the name of Clarence Hervey.

Belinda was in too much confusion either to speak or think.

"You were right to swear they were not love-letters," pursued her
ladyship, laying down the papers. "I protest I snatched them by way of
frolic--I beg pardon. All I can do now is not to read the rest."

"Nay--I beg--I wish--I insist upon your reading mine," said Belinda.

When Lady Delacour had read it, her countenance suddenly changed--"Worth a
hundred of your aunt's, I declare," said she, patting Belinda's cheek.
"What a treasure to meet with any thing like a _new_ heart!--all hearts,
now-a-days, are second-hand, at best."

Lady Delacour spoke with a tone of feeling which Belinda had never heard
from her before, and which at this moment touched her so much, that she
took her ladyship's hand and kissed it.




CHAPTER II.

MASKS