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Rh began to throng the apartment. Ellina saw him no longer; then, as ever, how short seemed his notice of her! Fate seemed always to oppose an obstacle to his addressing her.

Captain Sutton still fluttered near her; his gay and sprightly sallies, he flattered himself, might still amuse and draw her from herself, even from prudence and discretion; but he was little aware that, had Douglas been within her circle, and had spoken but one word to her, it would have been more prized than whole volumes he himself might utter.

How much, therefore, was he surprised, the morning after he had thus engaged the fair Ellina, and was in the full gratification of his vanity, to find himself led into a particular dialogue with Douglas, respecting his intentions towards that young lady, on the insinuation, that after a courtship so warm and protracted, the nuptial ceremony would doubtless be the result.

"The nuptial ceremony!" replied he, bursting into a laugh. "No, truly, 'old birds are not to be caught by chaff,' as the proverb has it. I love myself and liberty too well, and am not to be thus entrapped; unless, indeed whyperhaps—I might allow myself to be so, did I meet with a pretty girl who could bring me something: even