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238 the delicate circumstances in which he found himself placed, arising from what had been revealed to him by Mrs. Melbourne, and his own interference respecting Captain Sutton.

After a period of due deliberation given to the subject, Douglas made his proposals to Miss Airey, in the presence of Colonel Melbourne and his lady, by whom they were accepted with every mark of the most perfect approbation. The happy girl had, in a moment the most auspicious and unexpected, met with the full accomplishment of her secret wishes. He who had appeared rather assiduously to shun her, whose good opinion she had valued, notwithstanding his seeming indifference to her, had now declared himself, and given proofs of a regard the most unequivocal.

Colonel Melbourne, far from expecting such overtures in favour of his wife's protégée from one of Douglas's high consideration and advantages of birth, as well as personal and mental endowments, was greatly surprised that one so distinguished should honourably and generously come forward as a suitor to the young Ellina; for which reason, drawing Douglas apart, he thought it incumbent to have some farther discussion with him upon the subject.

"My dear Douglas," said he, "having the