126 BEAUTY.

 

self; for experience had taught her how
futile it was to attempt to influence her
niece in a matter like this.

And so, in her “ undress,” as Mrs. Hart-
ley made free to call her scanty garments,
Mary went to spend the evening in a
fashionable company, her head filled with
the vain notion that she would, on that
occasion, at least, carry off the palm of
beauty. And something more than simple
vanity was stirring in her heart. There
was to be a guest at the party in whose
eyes she especially desired to appear lovely
—and that was a young man named Per-
cival, whom she had met a few times, and
who was just such a one as a maiden might
well wish to draw to her side. At a recent
meeting, Percival had shown Mary more
than ordinary attentions. In fact, the
beauty of her person and graces of her
mind had made upon his feelings more
than a passing impression.

On entering the rooms, where a large
portion of the company were already as-