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most favourable idea of his character-a character totally different to that which they had ascribed to a son of the Duke of Godolphin when they merely saw him in a mixed company, as they mutually confessed to each other after his departure.

"I am very thankful, truly grateful to Heaven," said the General, "that this young man's heart seems to answer to his noble exterior. He not only persists in his wish to become the husband of Frances, now that he knows that she is a portionless bride, but persists in such a generous and sincere manner, that I am certain it will depend upon herself whether or not she becomes one of the happiest of wives."

"I trust, she will be so," said Emily fervently. "Should she, however, slight the heart she has gained, after having secured its possession, she may meet with a justly merited treatment; but of this sad chance, Heaven forbid the fulfilment !"

"All I now fear," said the General, " is the opposition of the Duke of Godolphin, whose ap

preciation of the goods of fortune are at a very different ratio from that of his son's. He may not give his consent; and then there is more misery in store for us."

"I should hope, my dearest uncle, that this will not be the case; for surely, out of shame, he will not confess that the love of money would make him withdraw his approval.”

The General smiled faintly, as he said, "This is not the shame which affects the people of the world. On the contrary, they would say, that they were acting only with parental prudence, in securing a proper equivalent of fortune to their child; and, under certain modifications, this is true; but it is an excuse too often made for the indulgence of selfish pride, prejudice, and avarice."

"Let us hope it will not be so, in the present instance, dear uncle."

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"Ah! my dear Emily, give me your youth, give me the freshness of your unsullied heart, and I too shall entertain no fear!"

A few days of anxiety passed away; objections were made, difficulties ware started on

the part of the Duke of Godolphin; but the consideration of the long line of ancestry which graced Lady Frances's parentage, finally overcame all prudential reserve on the score of fortune, and the splendour of the nobility he considered as an equivalent for the wealth of his coal-mines. Every thing respecting this union was ultimately agreed to, and the triumphant bride elect received the congratulations of all her acquaintance with a composed and self-satisfied air, which made the generality of her circle declare she was admirably well suited to fill the high station to which she was destined. Lady Glassington was one of the very first persons who came to pay their compliments on the occasion. There was a condescending protecting air of kindness in her manner which particularly amused the General.

"Well, General," she said, "I always told you Lady Frances Lorimer would prove true to the race from whence she sprang; I hope my Lady Emily will walk in her footsteps;" and she looked as if she did not believe in the likelihood that her wishes would be fulfilled.

"Her sister has made a very praiseworthy choice, though to be sure the Godolphins are not of ancient nobility such as we can boast being sprung from; still they are high in their sovereign's favour, and possess enormous wealth, and have obtained a very high title; and in short, want nothing but a little of that which your niece will bring into the family to render them one of the most distinguished of the realm."

"But what does your Ladyship think of the principal person concerned, of Lord Bellamont?" "Oh that he is, (considering what a set of young men we have in these days,) a mighty well bred sort of person. The other night, at the Opera House, he saw me waiting for my carriage, and he called for it himself, and never left me till I was safe out of the crowd. When I was young, indeed, those manners were common; but now, they are so very rare, that one may well remark them if ever they are seen; it is a little trait to be sure in itself, but it speaks a world of things in his favour. Bless me! General Montgomery," (suddenly interrupting

herself) "I wonder how you can poke the fire in that awkward manner. It is comical

enough to have a fire lit such weather as this—nobody, ah, ah, ah!” (laughing shrilly,)

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nobody but yourself would think of such a thing; but since you choose to have one, let me show you how to poke it :" and she took the poker in a dictatorial manner out of his hand.

"What, not allow me to stir my own fire in my own house?" said the General laughing.

"No, certainly not, while you do it so ill, and that I am by, to show you how it ought to be done; though I am surprised you have not yet learnt what it is to poke a fire properly, considering how very often I have instructed you in that point. See here! you ought first to rake out the ashes at the bottom bar, and then put your poker a little to the left side; not too much, or you stand a chance of not reaching with it transversely quite through and through the whole length of the grate."

This speech was suddenly arrested by the well known sounds of, "Well to be sure

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