 a pretty estate, and he seems a very genteel,
steady young man, so I hope Miss Julia will be very happy.«
    »It is not a settled thing, ma'am, yet. - We only speak of it among friends.
But I have very little doubt it will be. - He is growing extremely particular in
his attentions.«
    Fanny could listen no farther. Listening and wondering were all suspended
for a time, for Mr. Bertram was in the room again, and though feeling it would
be a great honour to be asked by him, she thought it must happen. He came
towards their little circle; but instead of asking her to dance, drew a chair
near her, and gave her an account of the present state of a sick horse, and the
opinion of the groom, from whom he had just parted. Fanny found that it was not
to be, and in the modesty of her nature immediately felt that she had been
unreasonable in expecting it. When he had told of his horse, he took a newspaper
from the table, and looking over it said in a languid way, »If you want to
dance, Fanny, I will stand up with you.« - With more than equal civility the
offer was declined; - she did not wish to dance. - »I am glad of it,« said he in
a much brisker tone, and throwing down the newspaper again - »for I am tired to
death. I only wonder how the good people can keep it up so long. - They had need
be all in love, to find any amusement in such folly - and so they are, I fancy.
- If you look at them, you may see they are so many couple of lovers - all but
Yates and Mrs. Grant - and, between ourselves, she, poor woman! must want a
lover as much as any one of them. A desperate dull life her's must be with the
doctor,« making a sly face as he spoke towards the chair of the latter, who
proving, however, to be close at his elbow, made so instantaneous a change of
expression and subject necessary, as Fanny, in spite of every thing, could
hardly help laughing at. - »A strange business this in America, Dr. Grant! -
What is your opinion? - I always come to you to know what I am to think of
public matters.«
    »My dear Tom,« cried his aunt soon afterwards, »as you are not dancing, I
dare say you
