CHAPTER X.
Deeper and Deeper Still.
It was not possible that the queen of the ball should be allowed to sit apart from the dancers long.

Many curious glances were bent on the pair who sat before the grand tier of fragrant blossoms.
"Who is that with Lady Amelie ?" asked one of another.
"Mr.Carruthers of Ulverston," was the, reply; and great was the indignation felt by young ladies and their mammas.
Poor Lady Masham had five marriageable daughters, and none had as yet received even the faintest shadow of an offer.

In her own mind she had thought of Mr.Carruthers as especially eligible for one of them, and had resolved, when he did go more into society, upon a decided mode of attack.

Her dismay, when she saw the state of things, can be better imagined than described.
"My dear," she said to her friend and confidant, Mrs.Scrops, "look, only look! Lady Amelie has victimized Mr.Carruthers." "She cannot do him any harm," replied Mrs.Scrops; "she is married, I am thankful to say." "There will be no good done with him this season," said poor Lady Masham.

"I would rather he had fallen in love than that she took possession of him." But Basil was not allowed to remain very long tete-a-tete with his charming queen.