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278 attire announced her above the common class of her order. He was at a loss for speech to address her. Her looks became bashful, and he thence assumed courage. He asked her various questions, none of which might be deemed discreet; but no matter, the simple candour of her replies emboldened him, and at the same time gave encouragement and satisfaction to his hopes and views. Presenting her his card, he desired her to deliver it to her mistress, with the message that he would call again in half an hour.

Upon the servant's entering the parlour, Mrs. De Brooke, with a look half curious, and half displeased, asked the purport of the conversation the gentleman had held with her: "for you have been sometime engaged with him, Mary."

"He asked me," replied she, "who resided in this house, and who were the ladies he had seen alight from a carriage, and—" here she paused, looked down, and simpered: "He asked me if I could tell him whether the young lady was disengaged; 'that is,' said he, 'whether she has any suitors, who demand her hand in marriage.'

"Is it possible he could ask such a question!" exclaimed Rosilia, deeply blushing. "Of what importance could it be to him, a total stranger to me?"