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 of the family; Mrs. Maple was miserly, and her enemy; and the Miss Joddrells knew, by experience, that she would not refuse their open assistance: Mr. Harleigh, therefore, or Mr. Ireton, must have conveyed this to her room.

If it were Mr. Ireton, she concluded he meant to ensnare her distress into an unguarded acceptance, for some latent purpose of mischief; if it were Mr. Harleigh, his whole behaviour inclined her to believe, that he was capable of such an action from motives of pure benevolence: but she could by no means accept pecuniary aid from either, and determined to keep the packet always ready for delivery, when she could discover to whom it belonged.

She was surprised, soon afterwards, by the sight of Selina. "I would not let Mr. Ireton hinder me from coming to you this once," she cried, "do what he could; for we are all in such a fidget, that there's only you, I really believe, can help us. Poor Miss Arbe, while