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 her shut up ever since, and refused me the least little peep at her."

The opposition of Mrs. Maple only the more strongly excited the curiosity of Selina, who, encouraged by the clamorous approbation of Elinor, flew to the door.

There, stopping short, she called out, "La! here's nothing but a young woman!&mdash;La! Aunt, I'm afraid she's run away!"

"And if she is, Niece, we shall not break our hearts, I hope! not but, if she's decamped, it's high time I should enquire whether all is safe in the house."

"Decamped?" cried Elinor, "Why she's at the door! Don't you know her, Aunt? Don't you see her, Ireton?"

The stranger, abashed, would have retreated. Harleigh, raising his eyes from his book, shook his bead at Elinor, who, laughing and regardless, seized the hand of the young person, and dragged her into the parlour.