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 fidant in all my trouble; the most faithful of counsellors; the craftiest of valets; a Leporello often tried, and never found wanting—my own good mind. "And now, thou female fiend! the battle is to the strongest; and I see right well, that the struggle between two such spirits will be a long and a fearful one. Woe, I say, to the vanquished! You must be dealt with by arts, which even yourself cannot conceive. Your boasted knowledge of human nature shall not again stand you in stead; for, mark me, from henceforward, Vivian Grey's conduct towards you shall have no precedent in human nature."

As Vivian re-entered the drawing-room, he met a servant carrying in the globe of gold and silver fishes.

"What, still in your pelisse, Mrs. Lorraine," said Vivian. "Nay, I hardly wonder at it, for surely, a prettier pelisse never yet