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"What does iton

Ermine, "Well, do you triumph?"

"I am very, very sorry," said Ermine

"I do not know that it is co to

collect herself "Iat the ain as they wisely left her to herself,

"But it is a deception! A deception! Oh! he need not have done it! Or,"

with a lightened look and tone of relief, "suppose he did it to see

whether I should find it out?"

"He is hardly on terms with you for that," said Er, "Then he would be a more insolent

scoundrel than he has shown hientleives the instinct of the beco You have conquered, Captain Keith,

if it be any pleasure to you to have given my trust and hope a cruel

shock"

"With little satisfaction to an to say; but she

continued, "A shock, a shock I say, no ht to draw I do not expect you to believe in this

person till he has cleared up the deceit If it be only a joke in bad

taste, he deserves the distrust that is the penalty for it If you have

been opening my eyes to a deception, perhaps I shall thank you for it

soathered her papers together, and took her leave gravely,

while Alick, much to Ermine's satisfaction, showed no elation in his

victory All he said was, "There is a great deal of dignity in the