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240 you must remember, towards the close of the evening, never to sit near any brilliant light. When people grow pale and exhausted, they should always contrive to sit in shadow. I have known a sallow woman, with good features, manage to look well by nestling into the shadow of a window-curtain, or amongst the plants. If eyes are bright, they sparkle more effectively; if dull, their deficiencies are hidden: there is quite as much knowledge required for hiding a defect as displaying a beauty. Who would think that Lady Penrhyn was crooked?" "Crooked, mamma! only in her temper, surely?" "No; in her shape, which has a positive twist, though not a great one; and she manages to dress so judiciously! not one of her acquaintance guesses such a thing. I have hitherto kept her secret; but on her conduct to-night depends my continuing to do so, but of course I expect you to guard it." "I cannot imagine how it can be hidden," said Helen, musing. "Of course you can't, at your age and with your shape, child; but, under different circumstances, you would find the benefit of cotton-wool and an intelligent soubrette. Lady P. also finds a great advantage in that perpetual change of posture she adopts, and a kind of wriggling motion adapted to her laugh." "And she is always laughing a little; never heartily, but a kind of hi, hi!—not so merry as silly, in my opinion."