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 "Money must be a vast scarce commodity there," said Mr. Stubbs, the steward: "did you ever happen to hear, Ma'am, how they go to work to get in their rents?"

Before the stranger could attempt any reply to these several addresses, Miss Arbe, who was the principal person of the party, seating herself in the chair of honour, desired her to advance, saying, "I understand you sing and play amazingly well. Pray who were your masters?"

While the Incognita hesitated, Miss Bydel, a collateral and uneducated successor to a large and unexpected fortune, said, "Pray, first of all, young woman, what took you over to foreign parts? I should like to know that."

Elinor, now, being ready, cut short all further investigation by beginning the rehearsal.

During the first scenes, the voice of the Incognita was hardly audible. The constraint of her forced attendance, and