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 doubt Mrs. Maple's word, this is such a prodigious old thing, that I can't give it the least credit."

Ellis, in much confusion, besought that she would have the goodness to walk up stairs.

"No, no; we are very well here; only be so kind as to let me know why you make such a secret of who you are? Every body asks me the question, go where I will; and it's making me look no better than a fool; to think I should be at such an expence as to hire a harp for a person I know nothing of."

Affrighted at the effect which this display of her poverty, and detection of its mystery, might produce upon her hostess, Ellis was again entreating for a tête à tête, when Mr. Riley, descending from his room to pass through the shop, exclaimed, "Ah ha! the Demoiselle? Why I had never the pleasure to meet you down here before, Ma'am?"

"Well, if this is not the gentleman who told us all those odd things about