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286 answer the expectations of her friends; be assured I should otherwise never have had the audacity and presumption to act in this manner. Will you pardon my curiosity if I ask who are her connexions?"

Mrs. Herbert first spoke of the deceased Sir Aubrey, extolling his high renown and popularity; she then mentioned the General, dwelling upon his amiable character, as also that of his lady; after which, of Mr. and Mrs. Arden, of their respectability and fortune.

"It is sufficient," rejoined Harcourt; "it was not to gratify any personal ambition, that I solicited this information; it was with the view to judge how far my own desires would act in harmony with the wishes of my family. Such an alliance cannot fail of meeting with their most flattering approbation."

As the inmates of her house, and reflecting credit upon herself, Mrs. Herbert had launched into encomiums upon the De Brookes; and as it was but from mere curiosity she had listened to Harcourt's account of himself, now that he had said all that was necessary in his recommendation, and that her inquisitivenes was fully gratified, her own self-interested feelings assumed complete ascendancy. This Harcourt might prove a formidable rival to