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Rh him at a distant part of the town, Rosilia's first impulse was to retire, but the door was immediately closed upon her.

With a cautious and respectful air, Melliphant conducted her into a parlour, into which he followed; when, upon offering her a seat, Rosilia said, "I should be glad if Mrs. Belmour was informed of my being here. It is about the time she might expect to see me."

"I have just quitted Mrs. Belmour," returned he, "and it is by her desire that I have shown you in here; she has been truly much indisposed, and wished before she saw you to profit by a short repose; but, if you wish it, I will go and see whether at the present moment she can receive you?"

"I should be much obliged by your doing so," answered Rosilia.

Melliphant left the room under pretence of executing the commission given him, but, after remaining a short time outside the door, re-entered.

"It is as I supposed," said he; "but as I am informed her slumber seems doubtful, you may expect her summons every moment."

Not wishing immediately to betray his feelings, an interval of silence ensued, after which, in low and almost inarticulate sounds, he attempted to describe the grief into which he was plunged by the decision her parents had adopted of so suddenly leaving town. His language by degrees acquired an animated warmth and energy, extremely embarrassing to