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 Harleigh, much gratified, besought her to explain herself with openness.

"They insist upon my telling my name — or they detain my letter!"

"Is that all?" said he, and, going to the clerk, he demanded the letter, for which he gave his own address and receipt, with his word of honour that he was authorised to require it by the person to whom it was written.

He then delivered it into her hand.

The joy of its possession, joined to the relief from such persecution, filled her with a delight which, though beaming from all her features, she had not yet found words to express, when Ireton, whom Harleigh had not remarked, burst a significant, though affected laugh.

"Why, Harleigh! why, what the deuce can have brought you hither?" cried he. Harleigh wished to retort the question; but would not hazard a raillery that might embarrass the stranger, who now, with modest grace, courtsied into