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"Tell her so," said the brother, with his odd, suppressed smile

"What, she does not think so?"

"Now," said Mr Keith, leaning back, "on my answer depends whether

Bessie enters this place with a character for chanting, croquet, or

crochet Which should you like worst, Miss Curtis?"

"I like evasions worst of all," said Rachel, with a flash of soh there was too much asperity in it

"But you see, unfortunately, I don't know," said Alick Keith, slowly "I

have never been able to find out, nor she either I don't knohat may

be the effect of example," he added Ermine wondered whether he were in

mischief or earnest, and suspected a little of both

"I shall be very happy to show Miss Keith any of my ways," said Rachel,

with no doubts at all; "but she will find me terribly impeded here When

does she co will be over It is high

tiuardian"

"The Colonel?"

"Yes," then to Ermine, "Every one turns to him with reliance and

confidence I believe no one in the ares

as he has done, or executes the pleasure colour her cheek more deeply than

was convenient, "you are relations"

"So far away that only a Scotse the cousinship"