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 secret till we get home," said Frances. "I dare not tell Sophia; but you must break it to my mother."

Lord Trelawney was a silly florid young man, who laughed very heartily and good humouredly, without the least reason. He wore the dress, and had been received in that class of men, whom Lady Augusta called the exquisites. He had professed the most extravagant adoration for Lady Avondale, so that she was quite astonished at his having attached himself so suddenly to Frances; but not being of a jealous turn, she wished her joy most cordially, and when she did the same by him,—"Could not help what I've done," he said, looking tenderly at her through a spying-glass:—"total dearth of something else to say:—can never affection her much:—but she's your cousin, you know:"—and then he laughed.

Lady Avondale prevailed on Frances to keep this important secret from her mother till morning, as that good lady had