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 laughing; I mean among the vulgar; in which class I would be understood to include the main mass of a great nation. What, I ask, ensues?—"

"O, as to that, Mr. Scope," cried Miss Bydel, rather impatiently, "I assure you if I knew any body that took such a liberty as to laugh at me, I should let them know my thoughts of such airs without much ceremony!"

"My very good lady," said Mr. Scope, formally bowing, "if I may request such a favour, I beg you to be silent. The laugh, I observe, caught thus, from one to another, soon spreads abroad; and then, the more aged, or better informed, may be led to enquire into its origin: and the result of such investigation must needs be, that the worthy Miss Bydel, having sent her commands to her humble servant, Mr. Scope, to follow her up stairs—"

"But if they said that," cried Miss Bydel, looking very red, "it would be as great a fib as ever was told, for I did