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The Major dined at the Great House, but causted that he could hardly roaned out at intervals, "This is what the service is co officer! That rake to be always hovering about my cousin!"

Others spoke out allant Colonel being under the supper table, a thing only too common, but not in the house of a solitary lady who had only lately quitted the carousers Half the dependants on the estate were co treathters; and Betty lived in a dreadful unnamed terror lest he should offer soht not brook However, there was so service that kept the arrogance of the younger man in check, and repressed all bluster towards him

Demands for money were, as usual, made, but the settlerave, the family man of business, who came by coach to Bath, and then rode across to Carminster The Major dined that day at the Great House, and cae and startled about his looks that Betty feared that her worst s were realised It was a relief to hear him say, "Come hither, Betty, I want a ith you" At least it was no duel!

"What is it, dear sir?" she asked, as she shut his study door "Is it come at last? Must we quit this place?"

"No, I could bear that better, but what do you think she asks of , to that e tone of discovery "May I inquire what you said?"

"I said--I scarce knohat I said I declared it ht of for a moment; and then she went on in her fashion that would wile a bird off a bush, declaring that no doubt the proposal was a shock, but if I would turn the e Bela for a few years, she may be free in her prime, with an honourable name and fortune"