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"Was there ever such an absurd fellow!" thought she; "he has reeable ever since I ca, when, in fact, he doesn't know anything well, not even good ht to any will or wishes of iven he must be as stupid and blind as an owl In spite of all that I can do or say he seems to think that I only want an opportunity to show the sa thatlady in society I should detest a ranted that I would fall in love with hiuiled the tio down and entertain the object of her dread, but secretly thankful that she did not

At last Mrs Arnot said: "Mr Haldane went out, did he not?"

"Yes, auntie, so-salts in the parlor I think it is stronger than this Would youit forit in the so-room, but as she turned to leave the apartment she saw Haldane between her and the door

Before he had reached any of his garish haunts he had felt such an utter distaste for them in his present mood that he returned He was conscious of the ihts, and also hoped that by soht still be able to find her alone That his return ht be unnoted, he had quietly entered a side door, and aiting and watching for just such an opportunity as Mrs Arnot had unwittingly occasioned

Laura tried to brush past, but he intercepted her, and said: "No, Miss Laura, not till you hearof the kind," she answered, in tones of strong vexation Guided by instinct, she resolved to be as prosaic and matter-of-fact as possible; so she added: "I have only aunt's s-salts in my hands, and she needs the-salts," he said tragically

"Mr Haldane, such talk is very absurd," she replied, half ready to cry from nervousness and annoyance

"It is not absurd How can you trifle with the deepest and holiest feelings that a rowing a little incoherent