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72 "But mamma," said Iy Eveline, "I am sure I don't like him well enough to marry him."

"Oh! I dare say not; he does not ask you to marry him to-day or to-morrow. I am sure you will like him sufficiently well before there is any call on you to do so, and the young man is really wonderfully well, considering," said the Countess.

"But I ought to tell him how I feel, surely."

"Oh no, dear, there is not the slightest necessity to say any thing about it. He ought to know that a well-brought-up girl does not fall in love with a man before he asks her or at the moment of a proposal. You have given only a little negative encouragement."

"But I did not mean to give him any encouragement at all."

"You are a little goose not to know that referring him to your father was very decided encouragement," said the Countess.

"But I was so sure that he would not approve."

"If he had not been a desirable parti your papa would have put a stop to it at once, but as it is, really, everything that could be wished for you, the Earl sees it as I do, and there was no harm done by your blunder."

So it was settled, and Lady Eveline tried to