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but though she acted well, it was evident that it was nothing but acting.

"Why," said she, in a theatrical tone, “why should I have been thus long condemned by a cruel fate, to estrange from my bosom her, whose right to the chief place there is so undoubted?” She looked at Eliza with unfeigned astonishment, which she was unable to conceal.—“ Yes,” said she," there are indeed lineaments in that countenance, which, were there no other evidence, would, of themselves, be sufficient to mark you for a Delassaux-" She hid her face in her handkerchief for some moments as if deeply affected; then, lifting up her head with an air of uncommon grandeur, and waving her hand round towards the servants, to command their attention,-" you will henceforth," continued she, "consider this young lady as the representative of the ancient house of Delassaux and Brokenhurst, and as the only issue of Sir Marmaduke Delassaux, and Dame Isobel Magdalene St Clair, his wife; and, consequently, as the rightful possessor of the house and noble estates of Delassaux and Brokenhurst. By the care of Providence she has been preserved, and I now, with pride and joy, welcome

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her to her home, and to this beating bosom."

So saying she again embraced her, whilst a buzz

of approbation issued from every mouth but that of Hawkins.

The little man came slowly forward, and bowing, at some distance, in a cringing manner, began to address the lady who was thus formally installed in her rights :

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"Hem!-Madam!-Miss Delassaux !-Miss Delassaux of Delassaux and Brokenhurst,-I humbly presume to offer my lowly duty to youMadam-and to congratulate and felicitate you. on your rightful accession to your property, and to express the supreme joy-I feel on the glorious and joyful occasion, Ma'am, when Heaven has sent so beautiful, and so sensible, and so genteel a young lady to rule over us. And hoping that you may be induced to continue me in those services, which have been now for so many years devoted to the happiness and well-being of the very considerable population of your estates, as well as to the best interests of my employer, then in possession, I go to hasten the kindling of bonfires, and the ringing of bells, and the drinking of ale, that the glad tidings may speedily spread from

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knoll to knoll, and from steeple to steeple, and from mouth to mouth, until the whole county of Kent shall resound them from one end to the other!"

Unfortunately for him, Eliza had already learned enough of the knavish and hard-hearted Mr Hawkins. She felt a new spirit animate her, as she contemplated the vast field of usefulness now opening before her, the idea of entertaining such a prime minister as Mr Hawkins was revolting to her thoughts. After kindly replying to the professions of her aunt, she turned round suddenly upon the astonished steward, who was still going on with his fulsome address, and instantly struck him dumb by her reply.

"I know not, Sir, upon what grounds you presume thus to address me. Though a stranger, I am already well acquainted with your villainy towards the unhappy young lady, whom, for no fault of her's, it pleased fortune to place on an eminence only to give her the greater fall. Nor am I less aware of the tyranny you have exercised over the unfortunate people under your control. I thank Heaven, that, on committing to me so great a charge, it has placed you like a

beacon on a sunken rock, to warn me to avoid that on which she, who preceded me, was shipwrecked. I beg, Sir, you will immediately leave this house, and I trust you will not dare offend me by again showing yourself within the precincts of my estates."

These words, uttered with great dignity and determination, fell on the little man like a thunderbolt. He cast his eyes around, and as they glanced on the various faces in succession, he beheld in some the chuckle of triumphant joy, and in all the stern smile of inward satisfaction. His mouth was closed, though vexation was preying at his heart. Defeated and crest-fallen, but not abashed, he slunk out of the room followed by a suppressed but general hiss from the servants.

A noise was now heard in the lobby and on the stairs.

"Bring him this way! bring him this way!" cried several voices.

"Aye, aye! but sangue del Diavolo !" exclaimed another," why do you drag me along at this rate? I shouldn't have delivered myself up if I had had any thoughts of escaping. Take me before the magistrate, for I have much to tell."

As the numerous footsteps came upwards, distraction fell upon Lady Deborah; she rose wildly, and took two or three rapid strides towards the door, but her purpose was prevented by the entrance of a large body of constables, bringing in a prisoner. Unlike the proud Lady Deborah Delassaux, she endeavoured to skulk behind the chairs of the party assembled.

room.

"Where is she ?" exclaimed Antonio, for it was he, "where is she I say?" whilst, with the eyes of a demon, he pierced into every corner of the "Ah,-hah!" he exclaimed,-" ha!— ha-ha-hah!-so I have you after all! Oh! this is almost beyond my hopes !"—and again he burst into a fit of laughter, for some time interrupting his speech, and sending a thrill of horror to the heart of every one in the apartment. "Morte! I thought you might have slipped through my fingers, and a pretty fool I should have made of myself, coming to dance at the gallows tree, and being jilted after all by my partner!"

Lady Deborah lifted her head slowly and calmly from the back of the great chair she had been leaning on, and raising herself to her full height, she walked forwards with a solemn majesty of step,

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