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22 away with your sweet treasures on Thursday, unless you promise me to revoke your note of this mornings and come with them to my rural fête. I shall indeed be most happy to see you."

"Let me assure your ladyship,” returned the General, "how much I feel myself flattered by your civility; that it still remains out of my power to accept it, for my family or myself, imposes upon me as well as upon them a great mortification."

"Well," resumed her ladyship, "I am very unfortunate in being prevented the gratification of seeing you, but surely you will make some amends to me by granting me the indulgence of your daughters' company? I shall be very proud of them, and take great care of my charges."

Mrs. De Brooke smiled, but shook her head; she was going to speak, when Lady Valpée interrupted her by saying, "Dear Mrs. De Brooke, you must not refuse me; I shall have a spare room quite at their service, and I should wish them to prolong then stay with me for a few days."

The General, who forcibly felt the kindness of this request, replied, "It is impossible, my dear Lady Valpée, to resist an offer so extremely obliging, one promising so much happiness to my girls, and which I already see anticipated in their sparkling looks; they are charmed by your