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 pastor, and pay off some of her debt of gratitude to the Hopkinson family.

The Sampsons continued to give their elaborate dinners, and their gorgeous déjeuners, and it almost appeared as if the Court Journal kept a special Sampson correspondent, so numerous were the paragraphs devoted to the sayings and doings, and givings and receivings of the Baroness. The Baron was more bland, more prosperous, and more superbly humble than ever; but it is to be hoped that the Baroness' guests derived more enjoyment from her hospitalities than she did, for she was constantly either irritable and dejected, or in a state of nervous high spirits, and she looked so ill, that Rachel suggested to her to have some medical advice.

"I cannot think what you mean," said her Aunt peevishly, "I am sure with all my parties and fêtes, and all the luxuries that surround me, it would be strange if I wanted to complain to a doctor; what do you suppose ails me, Rachel?"