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 my dear Rachel, whether you will be lodged so well as we could wish."

"Thank you, Aunt Rebecca, do not trouble yourself about me; I have always intended to tell you that whenever you leave this villa, I mean, as shopkeepers say, to set up for myself. I am much obliged to you and to my Uncle for—" Rachel hesitated, she knew that the very large allowance made for her during her minority had more than saved her from any pecuniary obligation, and she had met with no affection. However, she added, "for the home you have given me, and now I must try what I can do for myself."

"And will such a very independant young lady condescend to impart her plans for the future? I should have thought I might have been consulted si ce n'était que pour la forme," said the Baroness, who, however willing and anxious to get rid of a niece who was younger and handsomer than herself, and addicted to speaking plain truths, was yet piqued by the ease with which their acquaintance was dissolved.