believe the man's in love--and not with me! That's sal-volatile for you,
child, I perceive," continued she to Belinda. "O, you can walk now--but
remember you are on slippery ground: remember Clarence Hervey is not a
marrying man, and you are not a married woman."

"It is perfectly indifferent to me, madam," Belinda said, with a voice and
look of proud indignation.

"Lady Delacour, your carriage has drawn up," said Clarence Hervey,
returning to the door, but without entering.

"Then put this 'perfectly well' and 'perfectly indifferent' lady into it,"
said Lady Delacour.

He obeyed without uttering a syllable.

"Dumb! absolutely dumb! I protest," said her ladyship, as he handed her in
afterwards. "Why, Clarence, the casting of your serpent's skin seems to
have quite changed your nature--nothing but the simplicity of the dove
left; and I expect to hear, you cooing presently--don't you, Miss
Portman?" She ordered the coachman to drive to the Pantheon.

"To the Pantheon! I was in hopes your ladyship would have the goodness to
set me down at home; for indeed I shall be a burden to you and everybody
else at the masquerade."

"If you have made any appointment for the rest of the evening in
Berkley-square, I'll set you down, certainly, if you insist upon it, my
dear--for punctuality is a virtue; but prudence is a virtue too, in a
young lady; who, as your aunt Stanhope would say, has to _establish_