When the guests had nearly all arrived, both Mr. Graham and Durward started for ’Lena, the latter reaching her first, and paying her so many little attentions, that the curiosity of others was aroused, and frequently was the question asked, “Who is she, the beautiful young lady in white muslin and curls?”

Nothing of all this escaped Mrs. Livingstone, and once, in passing near her niece, she managed to whisper, “For heaven’s sake don’t show your ignorance of etiquette by taxing Mr. Bellmont’s good nature any longer.  It’s very improper to claim any one’s attention so long, and you are calling forth remarks.”

Then quickly changing the whisper into her softest tones, she said to Durward, “How can you resist such beseeching glances as those ladies send toward you?” nodding to a group of girls of which Carrie was one.

’Lena colored scarlet, and gazed wistfully around the room in quest of some other shelter when Durward should relinquish her, as she felt he would surely do, but none presented itself.  Her uncle was playing the agreeable to Miss Atherton, Mr. Graham to some other lady, while John Jr. kept closely at Nellie’s side, forgetful of all else.

“What shall I do?” said ’Lena, unconsciously and half aloud.

“Stay with me,” answered Durward, drawing her hand further within his arm, and bending upon her a look of admiration which she could not mistake.

Several times they passed and repassed Mrs. Graham, who was highly incensed at her son’s proceedings, and at last actually asked him “if he did not intend noticing anyone except Miss Rivers,” adding, as an apology for her rudeness (for Mrs. Graham prided herself upon being very polite in her own house), “she has charms enough to win a dozen gallants, but there are others here who need attention from you.  There’s Miss Livingstone, you’ve hardly spoken with her to-night.”

Thus importuned, Durward released ’Lena and walked away, attaching himself to Carrie, who clung to him closer, if possible, than did the old captain to Anna.  About this time Mr. Everett came.  He had been necessarily detained, and now, after paying his respects to the host and hostess, he started in quest of Anna, who was still held “in durance vile” by the captain.  But the moment she saw Malcolm, she uttered a low exclamation of joy, and without a single apology, broke abruptly away from her ancient cavalier, whose little watery eyes looked daggers after her for an instant; then consoling himself with the reflection that he was tolerably sure of her, do what she would, he walked up to her mother, kindly relieving her for a time of her charge, who was becoming rather tiresome.  Frequently, by nods, winks, and frowns, had Mrs. Livingstone tried to bring her son to a sense of his improper conduct in devoting himself exclusively to one individual, and neglecting all others.

But her efforts were all in vain.  John Jr. was incorrigible, slyly whispering to Nellie, that “he had no idea of beauing a medicine chest.”  This he said, referring to Mabel’s ill health, for among his other oddities, John Jr. had a particular aversion to sickly ladies.  Of course Nellie reproved him for his unkind remarks, at the same time warmly defending Mabel, “who,” she said, “had been delicate from infancy, and suffered far more than was generally suspected.”