" You are very much engaged in town.'l have no doubt/
she said.
" Oh, just as it happens. When the opera is open, three of
my evenings in the week are usually taken up. Only, you
know, oil Saturday night, when the ballet begins after twelve,
1 am obliged to leave."

Miss Twinch perceived that he was not of JSIr. Page's
kind, and that she was not exactly upon the .rigb^t,' tack for
conversation. So she shifted it. " , .■

" You lifes parties?" 4hB said.
THE POTTLBTON LECACt. 288

"Pretty well — a polka is the most agreeable means of
exercise. Do you dance it?"

" Oh, yes," replied Miss Twinch; but* shd' told a wipked
Btory. The administered flattery, however, of being taken for
a polka' dancer, salved her conscience. ' '

" A little wine?" asked Mr. Sparks;

Miss Twinch looked pleasant acquiescence, and allowed
the gallaiji curate to pour cut a ^ass for lier. '

" Does Page dance ?■' he inquired.
" Oh, no; he is too steady," she aiiswered, with playful
emphasis. '-If sh6 ha'd known the 'stejis that good blushing
Mr. Page was at that very time taking, to plunge into the
gay world, her mind would have been leSs at ease. '

" You must come to ' niiy church on Sunday, saii' Mr.
Sparks, who understood his line, and was equally attentive
to 6eWe and SI inster. I >

" I shall be most tiappy, if iaj chaperon, Mrs. Cooze. will
take mei," replied Miss Twinch.'

It was a pretty girlish idea, considering the relative ages
of the parties;

" We have admirable singing," continued Mr. Sparks.
