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 sobbed forth a broken greeting to the two gentlemen.

"My dear madam," said the Rev. Abel, gallantly, "pray do not cry. It is my duty to break to you a piece of news."

"No, no, Mr. Carleton, I have already heard of it," wailed Mrs. Fallow-Deer, "and what can I say? No one can suffer more than I, at this sad affair you certainly must know how entirely I was deceived by the young man."

"Indeed, ma'am, I was not aware that you had heard the news; but really, these tears, this distress—I cannot think, madam, that they are indicative of your real sentiments."

Mrs. Fallow-Deer bridled and dried her tears. "Mr. Carleton," she said in her most accentuated and dramatic manner, "I really do not understand you, sir; you seem inclined to make light of this terrible—this mortifying affair."

"Well, well, my dear madam, that is taking an extreme view of the case. It was without