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 do you think I should hear any thing to his prejudice?"

Tis evident (said D'Alembert, after musing a few minutes), that your heart is pre-engaged; nothing else could account for your absolute rejection of a man you never saw."

"Nothing else," repeated Madeline involuntarily, and looking in his face.

"No! confess, therefore that what I say, is true."

"Well (cried Madeline), if I do confess that my heart is devoted to another, will you drop all solicitation for your son?"

"No, never," exclaimed he in a furious voice, and with an inflamed countenance.

Madeline now attempted to free her hand. "I insist, Sir (said she), upon your releasing me immediately."

"I will, if you first promise to let my son plead his own cause on coming to the castle."

"Never," cried Madeline with vehemence, and struggling to disengage herself.