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 when you refused him—I shall never forget it, he, he, he!"

"Ha, ha, ha—Well you are so comical," said Miss Stewart, endeavouring to prevent her father, who was about to speak; but the old gentleman would be heard. "Was it Mr Fraser, did you say. Sir, that asked my daughter?"

"Yes, Fraser, Fraser, that was his name, I think—a little squat vulgar fellow—one you probably don't know."

"But I do know him, Sir," returned Mr Stewart; "that little fat vulgar fellow is my nephew. Sir—my daughter's cousin-german! A man of whose notice she ought to be proud, for he is respected as a benefactor to the whole neighbourhood. Were she to be ashamed to acknowledge her relationship to such a man, because he wears plain manners, and a plain coat, I should be ashamed of her. Had my nephew been less successful in business than he has been, he would have still merited esteem; for though of no