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"Great truth of character, and great simplicity, with a freshness of feeling very uncommon among many persons no longer young, and particularly those who have mixed much in the great world."

"No a bit," cried Miss Macalpine, coming forward for the first time, though she had kept silence with the utmost difficulty.—" No a bit; but I think Mistress Neville has spoken wi' infinite discrimination upon this matter; for different folk require different aliment to keep them in health o' body or mind. I mysel' could never hae ta'en up wi' ony ane but the man I lo❜ed best.-No! though anither had been rowed in a sheet o' beaten gowd, and he without a bawbie."

"What does she say," questioned Lady Glassington ?

"Oh! nothing that you could understand, if I were to explain it a hundred times. Never mind, it does not require an answer."

"Well, General,”-rising and shaking her head-" I give you joy, notwithstanding that I see you are as mistaken as usual, and that no

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good will come to Lady Emily, by your persisting in your mighty injudicious resolve of placing her under the protection of that extraordinary woman, though a very good sort of woman, I allow, yet still "-and she held up her hands and rolled her eyes about" still give me leave to say, wholly unsuited to such a trust; for instance, it is only two days ago”—and she smiled triumphantly at having recollected the circumstance" it is only two days ago that she dined in company with a duchess, a countess, and an ambassadress, and when the ladies were to move to dinner, she absolutely rose up as the steward announced it was upon table, and, laying hold of Lord Mowbray's arm, cried, 'Come! well to be sure, we have waited for it a long time, don't let us stand talking any more;'-and off she marched, before the ambassadress, the duchess, and the countess; then, suddenly recollecting herself, back she came in such a violent hurry, that she almost knocked the ambassadress down in coming in contact with her in the door-way, absolutely brushed off all her rouge, and cried, Mercy upon me!

I beg your pardon, ladies-I was so hungry I forgot what I was about.'-There! there's for you, General. There's a lady fit to be a chaperon; if that won't do for you, nothing will persuade you of your error.-Give me leave to tell you that."

The General laughed very heartily, and then replied "My dear Lady Glassington, you must give me leave, at my time of life, to do what I think best for myself and my niece."

"No, indeed, General, that is what I never shall do." This was uttered in a pretence of half banter, but with a decided tone, which spoke for the sincerity of the acrimony with which it was dictated. “So, General Montgomery, I take my leave and give you up for evermore. Yes, indeed, I've done with you.”

"Good morning, my dear Lady Glassington; I trust we shall meet better friends."

"I've done with you," reiterated the angry lady; and, curtseying very low (for no circumstance could ever make her forget to curtsey), she swept out of the room haughtily, without noticing Miss Macalpine.

CHAPTER II.

"Oh! friend, to dazzle, let the vain design;
To raise the thought, and touch the heart be thine;
That charm shall grow, while what fatigues the ring,
Flaunts and goes down, an unregarded thing."

POPE.

THREE weeks had elapsed since the General arrived in London. Lady Emily had been taken to all the fashionable places of resort, introduced to many of those who frequented them, and initiated into a great variety of scenes and secrets that saddened and depressed her spirits. Upon the whole, though she was much admired, yet the reality of London delights, viewed through the medium of mere fashionable existence, fell far short of the enchantment in which she had pictured them to herself, or which

she had heard her sister describe them to be. The day for Lady Frances's marriage was now fixed. It was shortly to take place; and she was at the height of good humour and complacency—that species of good humour which depends upon the fulfilment of its wishes. She had, indeed, sacrificed some inward feelings; but it was a sacrifice scarce acknowledged to herself; pride, and a spirit of vengeance, made her fancy herself indifferent. She had obtained her end in being made a great, and what she valued still more, a fashionable personage, and she now condescended to take her sister under her protection.

One day, as she was driving her to Blondell's, the milliner's, the sisters held the following colloquy. "Well, my dear Emily, I am happy to tell you, that upon the whole you have had very fair success. Had you been under my auspices it might have been better; but, take it altogether, you have been extremely admired; and

if

you will only follow my advice, I doubt not you may yet do very well, as well as myself."

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Oh, that would be difficult!" said Lady

Emily, smiling.

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