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 excepted, who, with a cold and cutting sneer, uttered a malicious "bravissima!"

Inexpressibly hurt and chagrined, Ellis precipitately quitted the orchestra; and, addressing Miss Arbe, said, "Alas, Madam, I am unequal to this business! I must relinquish it altogether! And,—if I have not been misinformed, Lady Aurora Granville—"

Miss Arbe, reddening, and looking much displeased, repeated, "Lady Aurora?—who has been talking to you about Lady Aurora?"

Ellis would have declined giving her authority; but Miss Arbe, without scruple, named Mr. Giles. "That tiresome old creature," she cried, "is always doing some mischief. He's my cousin, to be sure; and he's a very good sort of man, and all that; but I don't believe it's possible for an old soul to be more troublesome. As to this little sum of Lord Melbury's—"

"Lord Melbury's?" repeated Ellis, much agitated, "If it be Lord Mel-