"That is a line of a college drinking-song!"

The speaker was a young man of eight-and-twenty; who sat between

Rosa and Mabel, and whose attentions to the latter were marked. Of

medium height, with sandy hair and whiskers, high cheek-bones, that

gave a Gaelic cast to his physiognomy; which was remarkable for

nothing in particular when at rest, and followed somewhat tardily

the operations of his mind when he talked, he would probably have

been the least likely person present to rivet a stranger's notice

but for the circumstance that he played shadow to the host's sister

and was Mrs. Aylett's brother. With regard to the feeling

entertained by the former of those ladies for him, there were many

and diverse opinions, but his sister's partiality was unequivocally

exhibited. Of her three brothers, this--the youngest, the least

handsome, and the only bachelor--was her favorite. She took pains to

apprise his fellow-guests of this interesting fact by petting him

openly, and exerting her fullest artifices to bring him out in

becoming colors.

"It is," she answered him now, admiringly. "What a memory you have,

my dear Herbert! Now I am never positive with whom to credit a

quotation. I recollect, since you have spoken, that your famous

quartette-club ussd to render that with much eclat, and how it was

encored at the brilliant private concert you gave in behalf of some

popular charity or other."

Thus encouraged, Mr. Dorrance proceeded to enlarge the fragment: "Nose, nose, jolly red nose!

Where got you that jolly red nose?

Nutmeg and ginger, cinnamon and cloves,

These gave me this jolly red nose.' "You did not quote the third line correctly, Miss Tazewell."

"Never having been a college bacchanalian, I am excusable for the

inaccuracy," she retorted. "I did not even know where I picked up

the foolish bit. Having ascertained the origin to be of doubtful

respectability, I shall never use it again."

"My sister has alluded to our quartette-club," pursued Mr. Dorrance,

turning from the caustic beauty to Mabel, without noticing the

impertinent thrust. "It was the most successful thing of the kind I

ever knew of, being composed of thoroughly-trained musicians--

amateurs, of course--and practising nothing but classic music, the

productions of the best masters. There is something both instructive

and elevating in such an association."

"Especially when the theme of their consideration is the 'Jolly Red

Nose,'" interposed the wicked minx at his other elbow.

Two giddy girls tittered, unawed by Mrs. Aylett's proximity and her

brother's owl-like stare at his critic.




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