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 choly musing. She instantly conjectured it was her step which had driven off de Sevignie; and, wiping away her tears, advanced, though but slowly, to meet her.

"Why you must have written a volume instead of a letter, if you have been all this time employed in writing (said Olivia the moment she saw her); but the truth I suppose is, that de Sevignie intruded disagreeably upon you, and delayed you."

"No, he did not I assure you," said Madeline.

"You have seen him however, since you quitted the banqueting house."

"Yes; I met him as I was returning to it."

"And you stopped no doubt (cried Olivia), to wish him good-night."

"Well, supposing I had, would there have been any thing extraordinary in such a common act of civility?"

"No to be sure, nor in his detaining you almost an hour to thank you for it: though