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44, but, in despite of her extreme youth, the younger also; a man of fashion and of fortune would have paid homage to her merits, and would have solicited her hand in marriage, had he not been withheld from so doing by the persuasions of his friends, in consequence of the evil reports propagated to the discredit of the mother, and the discordance reigning between families so nearly related.

Injured as he was, and tracing his disappointment to the true source, the General was hurried on by a too great precipitation to knock at Mr. Arden's door, who not happening to be at home, he demanded admittance to his sister. Finding himself alone with her, he began, whilst in the heat of anger, to reproach her, as the author of his grievances.

He laid before her the expectations and hopes, especially those having relation to his eldest daughter, which she had been the means of frustrating: "Before you made your appearance in Bath," said he, "my wife was courted and respected, beloved and esteemed; but now, her acquaintance, dropping off by degrees, will soon neglect her altogether. My daughter might have formed an advantageous settlement but for you; it is you whose unaccountable reserve towards their