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, school-nurse, and own maid, to be but the attendant of a plain gentlewoman at last.

For thy sake, then, I had better look out for a peer. However, since it must be, desire Sir John Crofton to come up stairs. [Exit It is an unpleasant moment, and I shrink from it, but the sooner it is over the better. Ay, and to settle the matter with a good grace for him, and without mortification to myself, it must be done quickly.

I thank you. Miss Frankland, for this condescension: five minutes of your company is precious when one cannot obtain more. But are you, indeed, obliged to go out?

I really have business which obliges me to go.

And I have business (pardon me for calling it by that name) which requires you to stay. Will you honour me so far? (Setting chairs and sitting down by her.) Miss Frankland, there are situations which must plead a man's excuse