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94 affects to disbelieve,—will you convince her of my truth, my devotion, my worship?"

"Disbelieve you!" said the bland judge, with the same secret sneer that usually lurked in the corners of his mouth; "I do not wonder that she is slow to credit the honour you have done her, and for which the noblest damsels in England have sighed in vain.—Lucy, will you be cruel to Lord Mauleverer? believe me, he has often confided to me his love for you; and if the experience of some years avails, there is not a question of his honour and his truth; I leave his fate in your hands."

Brandon turned to the door.

"Stay, dear Sir," said Lucy, "and, instead of interceding for Lord Mauleverer, intercede for me." Her look now settled into a calm and decided seriousness of expression. "I feel highly flattered by his Lordship's proposal, which, as you say, I might well doubt to be gravely meant. I wish him all happiness with a lady of higher deserts; but I speak from an unalterable determination, when I say, that I can never accept the dignity with which he would invest me."

So saying, Lucy walked quickly to the door