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70 kindness, as he walked homeward he trusted that his then easy compliance might, at some future period, be attended with the happy result of their respective families becoming united in the bonds of mutual amity and concord.

"My dear child," said he, with apparent unconcern, after a short conversation with Rosilia upon indifferent topics, "I am going to dine with my sister, Mrs. Arden, to-day, and mean to take you with me. She has much desired your coming, and I have agreed that you shall go. You know I do not approve of your bestowing too much attention upon your toilet, but in this instance I wish you to be well attired-—that is, neatly, simply; a plain dress becomes you most, and will be the most adapted for the occasion, as we shall be, if I mistake not, en famille."

Asking no questions, but expressing the joy she felt, Rosilia hastened to obey her father, and in a short interval appeared before him exactly in accordance with his wishes.

Placing her arm under his, they proceeded together, and in the space of half an hour found themselves at the door of one of those spacious abodes in the centre of the handsome buildings in Grosvenor-square, and were ushered by a portly, consequential butler to Mrs. Arden's usual sitting