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 still she fondly clung to him, uttering from time to time, "Long—long wished for moment! welcome, thrice welcome to my wearied soul!"

The shock of Harleigh was unspeakable, and it was aggravated by almost indignant exhortations, ejaculated from nearly every person present, that he would snatch the self-devoted enthusiast from this untimely end, by returning her heroic tenderness.

Mrs. Maple was now covered with shame, from apprehension that this conduct might be imputed either to any precepts or any neglect of her own. "My poor niece is quite light-headed, Mr. Harleigh," she cried, "and knows not what she says."

Fury started into the eyes of Elinor as she caught these words, and neither prayers nor supplications could silence or quiet her. "No, Mrs. Maple, no!" she cried, "I am not light-headed! I never so perfectly knew what I said, for I never so perfectly spoke what I thought. Is it not time, even yet,