Page:Romance & Reality 1.pdf/146

140 violent distortions, and replaced them by the calm style and effective delivery of the gentleman. His aim, and, I must add, his accomplishment, is to teach the art of speaking with ease and fluency." "Does he instruct ladies?" "I hope not,

Emily's whole attention was now given to a lady speaking near her,—the first few sentences were lost, but she caught the following:— "When I say your gratitude ought to be excited by my vanity, I divide the functions of vanity into two influences; the one is, when it is passive, I only feed upon the memories it brings; the other is, when it is active, and prompts me to exert myself for your entertainment; and it is while thus acting for your amusement that it calls on you to be grateful, if not gratified." "But who goes into society,—at least those who have any pretensions," said a young man, clever-looking, and with an animated manner, which gave additional attraction to a pointed and brilliant style of conversation;—"who