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 the party to Stanton, seemed to her the probable conclusion of almost all that had been comfortable in the house.

Robert Watson was an attorney at Croydon in a good way of business; very well satished with himself for the same, and for having marricd the only daughter of the attorney to whom he had been clerk, with a fortune of six thousand pounds. Mrs. Robert was not less pleased with herself for having had that six thousand pounds and for being now in possession of a very smart house in Croydon, where she gave gentee! parties and wore fine clothes. In her person there was nothing remarkable; her manners were pert and conceited. Margaret was not without beauty; she had a slight pretty figure, and rather wantcd countenance than good features; but the sharp and anxious expression of her face made her beauty in general little felt. On meeting her longabsent sister, as on every occasion of show, her inanner was all affection and her voice all gentleness ; continual smiles and a very slow articulation being her constant resource when determined on pleasing.

She was now ‘so delighted to see dear, dear Emma,’ that she could hardly speak a word in a minute.

‘I am sure we shall be great friends, she observed with much sentiment as they were sitting together. iimma scarcely knew how to answer such a proposition, and the manner in which it was spoken she could not attempt to equal, Mrs. Robert Watson eyed her with much familiar curiosity and triumphant compassion; the loss of the aunt’s fortune was uppermost in