70 A SPOKE IN THE WHEEL.

easy young lawyer. With the air of a queen, Jessie
motioned the two to be seated. Bassett laughed
and talked with the most provoking ease and con-
fidence. In his eyes, evidently, Williams was a
rival not worth noticing. Jessie laughed at his jokes,
and seemed not to trouble herself about the other.
It was mortifying, it was provoking, it was enough
to make a saint swear, thought Williams. “ Here I
sit,” thought he to himself, “like a fool, without
a word to say for myself! ” If he were to speak, he
knew that his voice would betray his feelings—he
wished his rival at the devil. We beg our readers’
pardon, but it is truth; he did so, and he wished
more than that—that he could challenge him, and
put a bullet through his body. It was a ‘most
uncomfortable time to him. He called Bassett an
ass—a stupid, conceited ass—in his own mind ; and
perhaps he might have been excited to call him so to
his face, if the old woman, who had finished her
work, had not got up, and shaking out the gown,
said it was now ready, and as it was five o'clock, the
gentlemen had better both take their departure.
** Did they hear?” she repeated, as if she thought
them as deaf as herself.

They both rose, and Jessie offering a hand to each
at the same moment, curtseyed them a graceful
adieu.

‘“* I must say a word to you,” whispered Williams,
as Bassett left the room.

*“ To-night, after the play. I do not act in the
after-piece,” said she, hurriedly, and closed the door
upon him. But that was enough; he wanted no
more ; he felt as if wings had at once sprung from his
shoulders. |