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94 Miss Hope bit her lip at the thought of how she had been duped and blinded. John Derrick had really given her cause to think he loved her, and more unmistakeably after he was bound to Lady Eveline than before.

"Of course with John's prospects it is an excellent match for Lady Eveline," said Charlotte; "for though she is an Earl's daughter, she is as poor as—as poor as you are, Miss Hope. John gave her her diamonds to be presented at Court in, and papa will not say how much they cost. If he had not she must have appeared in old things of her great grandmother's. I like new things. When I go to Court I shall coax papa to get me as handsome a set. If they had not made so mighty a secret of it, I might have had a look at it. Don't you think I should have as handsome things as John's wife?"

"Oh! yes, of course, yes," said the governess.

"Lady Eveline is coming here on a visit soon and you will see her. I am sure you will think her lovely, and she has such an exquisite voice, and is so fond of music. That is the reason why John has been so anxious to learn from you lately. You know it was after we returned to Stanmore from Brighton that he became so enthusiastic."

Miss Hope remembered the time and the circumstances, and did not feel at all soothed by