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112 between Miss Arundel and Mr. Lorraine was the most eligible thing in the world for both parties; and when a mind is once made up, it is very tiresome to have to unmake it. No wonder Edward had hitherto escaped heart-whole. She even exaggerated the taste whose delicacy was refined almost to fastidiousness; but that very taste would be in favour of the great improvement which had taken place in Emily. Lady Mandeville did full justice to it, and a little more—for it was her own work. Like most persons whose vivid imagination applies itself to actual things, instead of abstract creations, she gave a reality to her schemes that seemed to make failure an impossibility; and having once settled that Emily would be very happy with Lorraine, it was an absolute impossibility to allow her to be happy with any one else. Lorraine was a great favourite—Spenser was not. The indolence which Cecil had rather permitted than indulged—for, Heaven knows, it was no indulgence at all—had at first prevented his offering that homage to which she was accustomed; and now, when he did offer it, it was marked, suspected. His admiration of Emily interfered with her arrangement; and the