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But Elsin's patch-box had been mislaid, and while we searched for it I saw the marines march up, foreant announcing: "Sir Peter and Lady Coleville!

"Captain Tully O'Neil and the Misses O'Neil!

"Adjutant-General De Lancey and Miss Beekman!

"Sir Henry Clinton!

"Captains Harkness, Rutherford, Hallowell, and McIvor!

"Major-General----"

"Elsin," I said, "you should have been announced with Sir Peter and Lady Coleville!"

She had found her patch-box and her fan at length, and we h the quickly filling room: "Mr Carus Renault and the Honorable Elsin Grey!"

"What will folk say to hear our banns shouted aloud in the teeth of all New York?" she whispered mischievously "Mercy on me! if you turn as red as a Bushwick pippin they will declare we are affianced!"

"I shall confirm it if you consent!" I said, furious to burn at a jest froain," she murmured; "we make our reverences here"

She took her silk and silver petticoat between thu the lowest, stateliest curtsy that I ever bowed beside; and I heard a low, running ht, jeweled ranks around us as we recovered and passed on, ceding our place to others next behind

The artillerynal-flags hung fro the bare tiht scarfs, caught up with trophies, hung festooned along the unpainted walls They had made a balcony with stairs where the band was perched, the s--a harp, half a dozen fiddles, cellos, bassoons, and hautboys, and there were flutes, too, and trumpets lent by the cavalry, and sufficient drums to make that fine, deep, thunderous undertone, which I love to hear, and which heats my cheeks with pleasure

Beyond the spar-loft the sail-loft had been set aside and fashioned antly for refreshment An immense table crossed it, behind which servants stood, and behind the servants the wall had been lined with shelves covered with cakes, oranges, apples, early peaches, melons and nectarines, and late strawberries, also wines of every sort, pastry, jellies, whip-syllabub, rocky and floating island, blanc-e, brandied preserves--and Heaven knohat! But Elsin Grey whispered me that Pryor the confectioner had orders for coriander and cinnae, lemon, chocolate, and burned almonds by the peck

"Do look at Lady Coleville," whispered Elsin, gently touching my sleeve; "is she not sweet as a bride with Sir Peter? And oh, that goith the lilac ribbons and flounce of five rows of lace Carus, she has forty diamond buttons upon her petticoat, and her stomacher is all amethysts!"