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your former treaty of marriage broke off because his fortune was deemed insufficient for your fashionable plans of expense?—for, by the unexpected death of his elder brother, some three months ago, that obstacle is removed.

Thou art quite right, it is a second proposal; and, oh! what shall I do? (Traversing the room in a disturbed manner.) I shall appear sordid—I shall appear mean—I shall appear mercenary in his eyes.

Not more so than when you declined his first proposal on that ground. You will now appear to him, not very sentimental, indeed, but consistent.

Oh! but I did not ostensibly decline his offer on that ground, though that was the true one.—What shall I do! Suffer him to think meanly of my motives; and give up all my plans too of living a distinguished single woman, in a house of my own,—the patroness of arts, the encourager of genius, the loadstar in society!—You know all this, my dear child,—you know what the wishes of my heart have been.