"She is about to retire and change her traveling-dress." "Yes, dear; but, you forget, I am a stranger to your friends.

Will you not introduce me to them first ?" "No, no!" cried Vane, in trepidation.

"It is not usual to introduce in the _beau monde."_ "We always introduce ourselves," rejoined Mrs.Woffington.She rose slowly, with her eye on Vane.

He cast a look of abject entreaty on her; but there was no pity in that curling lip and awful eye.

He closed his own eyes and waited for the blow.