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'I was told,' said he, 'that you were a perfect bookworm, Miss Grey: so completely absorbed in your studies that you were lost to every other pleasure'

'Yes, and it's quite true!' cried Matilda

'No, Mr Weston: don't believe it: it's a scandalous libel These young ladies are too fond ofrandoht to be careful how you listen to theroundless, at any rate'

'Why? Do you particularly object to ladies studying?'

'No; but I object to anyone so devoting hi else Except under peculiar circumstances, I consider very close and constant study as a waste of time, and an injury to the mind as well as the body'

'Well, I have neither the tiressions'

We parted again

Well! what is there remarkable in all this? Why have I recorded it? Because, reader, it was iht of pleasing drea of felicitous hopes Shallow-brained cheerfulness, foolish dreams, unfounded hopes, you would say; and I will not venture to deny it: suspicions to that effect arose too frequently in my own mind But our wishes are like tinder: the flint and steel of circu out sparks, which vanish immediately, unless they chance to fall upon the tinder of our wishes; then, they instantly ignite, and the flame of hope is kindled in aflame of hope was dismally quenched by a letter fromillness, that I feared there was little or no chance of his recovery; and, close at hand as the holidays were, I almost trembled lest they should come too late for me to meet him in this world Two days after, a letter from Mary told me his life was despaired of, and his end seeht pero without delay Mrs Murray stared, and wondered at the unwonted energy and boldness hich I urged the request, and thought there was no occasion to hurry; but finally gave , however, that there was 'no need to be in such agitation about the ht prove a false alarm after all; and if not--why, it was only in the common course of nature: we must all die some time; and I was not to supposewith saying I ht have the phaeton to take me to O- 'And instead of REPINING, Miss Grey, be thankful for the PRIVILEGES you enjoy There's ed into ruin by the event of his death; but you, you see, have influential friends ready to continue their patronage, and to show you every consideration'