CHAPTER XII.

He that's convinced against his will,
Will be of the same opinion still.

BUTLER.

"I SEE," said Sir Thomas, as they assembled at breakfast," that my favourite, Miss Noel, sings on Saturday. Mrs Lennox, have you any wish to see our theatre ?"

Mrs Lennox, who was always in the humour for gaiety, answered in the affirmative; and it was immediately arranged, that they should drive to town and secure a box.

"We must get some of the officers to escort us," said Ellinor to Catherine, as soon as they got up stairs; " but I hope papa won't plague us with any more ladies.

I hate to go into public with a whole tribe of women. But seriously, we must send a card at least to Spencer and Willoughby, to ask them to accompany us."

"Indeed I would do no such thing," said Catherine; "if you should see any of them before Saturday, you might mention your intention of being at the theatre, and perhaps ask them to go; but I would not pay them the compliment of sending them a card."

"I never heard such folly. Would you have us go to the theatre with nobody but papa and Charles? I would rather stay at home."

"Well, do as you please, Ellinor; only I don't give my vote for asking them. They will think we never can move without having some of them with us; and I confess I should prefer that they joined our party of their own accord; besides, I think we are very well off in having two such goodlooking escorts as Sir Thomas and Charles."

"You are an old-fashioned fright, Catherine, and should have been born in the seventeenth century; but if you are contented to have only papa and Charles, 'tis more than I am.-But come," she said, laughing, "I bet you any wager I shall have Mrs Lennox on my side.-Mrs Lennox," she said, approaching her sister-inlaw," Catherine and I have just had a dispute, and, as you are a sensible woman, I come to lay the case before you."

Mrs Lennox smiled at this compliment, and Ellinor proceeded. "She proposes that we shall go to the theatre on Saturday evening with no other attendants than papa and Charles !-Do you patronize this plan? I wished to invite some of our military friends to be of the party, but grim Miss Prudence is quite horrified at the very mention of such a thing; though I am sure I see no impropriety in the matter."

"Nor I neither," said Mrs Lennox ; "and as to going with only two gentlemen,

'tis not to be thought of; besides, it is quite unfashionable to appear in public with none but your relations. For my part, I don't intend that Charles shall come near me the whole night. So, Ellinor, my dear, do write to Major Willoughby and Captain Spencer. Do you know any more of them? A box looks always well with a good many redcoats in it."

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Now, Catherine," said Ellinor, in great spirits, you can't object now, for most

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votes, you know, must carry the day. So do make me a good pen to write these two pretty little notes."

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But," said Catherine, "would it not be better to defer your invitation till the box is secured? We may be disappointed."

"Oh!" said Ellinor, "I don't think there is the slightest chance of our being disappointed in getting a box; the town is not full yet, and, I dare say, we may have half a dozen boxes if we want them. So make haste with my pen, for I am

afraid, if I don't send my card immediately, the gentlemen will be picked up for that night by some pest or other."

Catherine, seeing that all her attempts to prevent Ellinor from writing were unavailing, had just made a pen for her, and was in the act of opening her desk for the paper, when a tremendous peal at the door announced visitors.

" I

"Who the mischief can that be ?" said Ellinor, jumping up from her seat. never saw it fail, that people bounce in upon one when they are least wanted; and I suppose we have not time to deny ourselves. Torments! I wish they had stayed at home; but I'll decamp to my room, and finish my notes in peace. Catherine, you may come and tell me who it is.'

Ellinor had but just quitted the apartment, when Willoughby and Spencer entered. They had scarcely seated themselves, when Catherine said she would inquire if her aunt and cousin were at home, and for that purpose left the room.