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Rh his late suspicions; and forthwith he began a story that promised to be as long as the chase it recorded. So charmed was he when he had finished it, with the character of the gentleman who had listened to it so delightedly, that on rejoining Mauleverer, he told the Earl with an important air, that he had strictly examined the young Captain, and that he had fully convinced himself of the excellence of his family, as well as the rectitude of his morals. Mauleverer listened with a countenance of polite incredulity; he had heard but little of the conversation that had taken place between the pair, but on questioning the Squire upon the sundry particulars of Clifford's birth, parentage, and property, he found him exactly as ignorant as before. The courtier however seeing farther expostulation was in vain, contented himself with patting the Squire's shoulder, and saying with a mysterious urbanity, "Ah, Sir, you are too good!"

With these words he turned on his heel, and, not yet despairing, sought the daughter. He