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 agreeable, ſenſible, and worthy women; but the eldeſt was rather of too prudish a diſpoſition, and too apt to quarrel with her brother about his amours, though he was a very kind one. Bab, therefore, being in the parlour by herſelf, and her ſiſter gone to undreſs, but neither young nor handſome, drew up the ſaſh, and obſerved her brother enter the parlour, leading in a fine girl, in the prime of life, and in the bloom of beauty, in a familiar manner; a girl whom ſhe had never ſeen before. “Here, Bab," ſaid he, “I have picked up a new acquaintance for you and Sophy, and I deſire you will accommodate her ſomehow with a bed, for ſhe muſt ſleep with us to-night." Miſs Bellenden ſtared at him with aſtoniſhment: "What do you mean, brother?" “His meaning is exceeding good, I can aſſure you, madam," ſaid Maria. "I am under infinite obligations to him; and if you will permit me to tell you how I fell into Mr Bellenden's hands, and in what manner. he has behaved to me, I dare believe that you will think him deſerving of your higheſt commendation." “I don't want to hear your ſtory, child, not I," ſaid miſs Bellendes, with a haughty air, “my brother has, no doubt, told you what to ſay; but I won't ſuffer any girl to ſleep in this houſe, of whom I know nothing