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178 found Miss Brandon just released from dancing, and with a kind of paternal gallantry, he offered her his arm to parade the apartments. After some preliminary flourish, and reference, for the thousandth time, to his friendship for William Brandon, the Earl spoke to her about that "fine-looking young man, who called himself Captain Clifford."

Unfortunately for Mauleverer, he grew a little too unguarded, as his resentment against the interference of Clifford warmed with his language, and he dropped in his anger one or two words of caution which especially offended the delicacy of Miss Brandon.

"Take care how I encourage, my Lord!" said Lucy, with glowing cheeks, repeating the words which had so affronted her, "I really must beg you"

"You mean, dear Miss Brandon," interrupted Mauleverer, squeezing her hand with respectful tenderness, "that you must beg me to apologize for my inadvertent expression. I do most