As he told me that, his daughter looked up--the sun of beauty shone on me again! I touched next on my high connections, and on Lady Malkinshaw; I described myself as temporarily banished from home for humorous caricaturing, and amiable youthful wildness.

She was interested; she smiled--and the sun of beauty shone warmer than ever! I diverged to general topics, and got brilliant and amusing.

She laughed--the nightingale notes of her merriment bubbled into my ears caressingly--why could I not shut my eyes and listen to them?
Her color rose; her face grew animated.

Poor soul! A little lively company was but too evidently a rare treat to her.

Under such circumstances, who would not be amusing?
If she had said to me, "Mr.Softly, I like tumbling," I should have made a clown of myself on the spot.