Page:Once a Week Volume 7.djvu/401

. 4, 1862.]

“ great-niece, Amyce Cloyse—Mr. Hedworth Charlton.”

The introduction was made in my uncle’s quavering voice, when I shyly stole into the drawing-room before dinner the following day, and slightly bending in answer to the stranger’s inclination, I crept into a seat close to Sir John’s elbow.

Only those who like myself have been brought up in perfect seclusion, know the intense pain and awkwardness of such a moment to a young girl who has no lady friend to support her. I dared not raise my eyes; I felt my elbows and shoulders everywhere but in their proper positions, my cheeks burning, my whole appearance twice as ungainly as it usually was; and worse still, I knew from that ominous way in which Uncle John was clearing his throat that he was displeased with my awkwardness, and wished to give me a hint to retrieve my character. It was in vain that Mr. Charlton tried to cover my confusion, by continuing the conversation in which he had been engaged, previous to my entrance. Uncle John seemed to have a malicious desire to bring me forward, to make me speak, act, show off—in short, to prove me to be a person of consideration; and he could not conceal his annoyance when, at every attempt, I grew more and more awkward, stammering, hesitating, answering at random.

Dinner was announced. My uncle desired Mr. Charlton to hand me in, and I rose mechanically, and accepted his proffered arm, noticing then, for the first time, how tall was my new acquaintance. The meal was very lengthy and very stiff. Mr. Charlton’s efforts to make conversation gradually flagged as my shyness overpowered me, and my