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 "I can have no doubt," said he, gravely, "that Miss Joddrel is concerned, for the length of time she has wasted in trifling with his feelings; but this is all the apology her conduct requires: the breach of the engagement, when once she was convinced, that her attachment was insufficient to make the union as desirable to herself as to him, was certainly rather a kindness than an injury."

"Yes,—but, her motives—her reasons—"

"I conceive them all! she wanted courage to be sooner decided; she apprehended reproach—and she gathered force to make her change of sentiments known, only when, otherwise, she must have concealed it for ever.—Pardon this presumptuous anticipation!" added he, smiling; "but when you talk to me of only ten minutes, how can I suffer them to be consumed in a commission?"

He spoke in a low tone, yet, Ellis,