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concerting means of detection relative to the stranger, which no failure of success could discourage, Mrs. Ireton and Mrs. Maple sate whispering upon the same sofa in the drawing-room; while Selina and Miss Arramede were tittering at a window.

"How do you do, ladies?" cried Miss Bydel. "In close chat, I see. However, I don't want to know what it's about. I'm only come to speak a word about this poor thing here, for fear you should think she has been all this time gossipping about her own affairs; which, I assure you, Mrs Ireton, I can bear witness for her i'n't the case."

The supercilious silence of Mrs. Ireton to this address, would have authorised the immediate retreat of Juliet, but that