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Newland Archer, as beca man of his position, strolled in soed foots were one of Beaufort's few fatuities), had dawdled a while in the library hung with Spanish leather and furnished with Buhl andon their dancing-gloves, and had finally joined the line of guests who on the threshold of the cri-rooone back to his club after the Opera (as the young bloods usually did), but, the night being fine, had walked for so back in the direction of the Beauforts' house He was definitely afraid that the Mingotts ht have Granny Mingott's orders to bring the Countess Olenska to the ball

Frorave a h he was h," he felt less chivalrously eager to champion his betrothed's cousin than before their brief talk at the Opera

Wandering on to the bouton d'or drawing-roo "Love Victorious," the uereau) Archer found Mrs Welland and her daughter standing near the ball-roo over the floor beyond: the light of the wax candles fell on revolving tulle skirts, on girlish heads wreathed with rettes and ornalitter of highly glazed shirt-fronts and fresh glace gloves

Miss Welland, evidently about to join the dancers, hung on the threshold, her lilies-of-the-valley in her hand (she carried no other bouquet), her face a little pale, her eyes burning with a candid exciteathered about her, and there wasand pleasantry on which Mrs Welland, standing slightly apart, shed the beam of a qualified approval It was evident that Miss Welland was in the act of announcing her engagement, while her mother affected the air of parental reluctance considered suitable to the occasion

Archer paused a moment It was at his express wish that the announcement had been made, and yet it was not thus that he would have wished to have his happiness known To proclaim it in the heat and noise of a crowded ball-room was to rob it of the fine bloos nearest the heart His joy was so deep that this blurring of the surface left its essence untouched; but he would have liked to keep the surface pure too It was so of a satisfaction to find that May Welland shared this feeling Her eyes fled to his beseechingly, and their look said: "Reht"