'Miss Bellew, perhaps,' said I, trembling lest any recollection of ever having heard it before should cross her mind.
'Yes, that's the name; somehow it seems familiar to me. Do you know her yet, for my friend Lady Middleton knows every one, and will introduce you?'
'Oh, I have the pleasure of being acquainted with her already,' said I, turning away to hide my confusion.
'That's quite proper,' said her ladyship encouragingly. 'But here she comes; I think you must introduce me, John.'
As my mother spoke, Louisa Bellew came up, leaning on a lady's arm. A moment's hesitation on my part would have only augmented the embarrassment which increased at every instant; so I stepped forward and pronounced her name. No sooner had the words 'Miss Bellew' escaped my lips than she turned round; her large full eyes were fixed upon me doubtingly for a second, and her face grew deep scarlet, and then as suddenly pale again. She made an effort to speak, but could not; a tottering weakness seemed to creep over her frame, and as she pressed her companion's arm closely I heard her mutter—'Oh, pray move on!'
'Lady Charlotte Hinton—'Miss Bellew,' said the lady at her side, who had paid no attention whatever to Louisa's agitated manner.
My mother smiled in her sweetest manner, while Miss Bellow's acknowledgments were made with the most distant coldness.
'My son had deemed himself fortunate enough to be known to you,' said Lady Charlotte.
Miss Bellew became pale as death; her very lips were bloodless, as with a voice tremulous with emotion, she replied—
'We were acquainted once, madam; but——'