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quite a love! and I am told he has four or five thousand a-year. The Edinburgh belles are all fighting about him-it would be a feather in one's cap to carry him off; but then the wretch is so fastidious, 'tis almost impossible to please him. He sustained a violent attack the other night; but I see the gentleman is accustomed to stand fire. I am amazed you have not met with him; no party is considered complete without him, and he receives all the attentions which are lavished on him, as if he had been accustomed to them from his very cradle."

"I am very much surprised," said Ellinor, "that Spencer has not introduced him."

"That shows he has more sense than I gave him credit for," replied Maria.

"I never even heard him mention Major Willoughby, but I shall certainly desire him to introduce his friend."

"I hope," said Catherine, "we shall have more self-respect than make any such request; I dare say we shall contrive to exist,

even though we have not the honour of his acquaintance."

"One would think," observed Maria, with a sneer, "that Miss Dundas had studied the character of the Major, and was setting her cap at him; he is vastly fond of your propriety-misses. I don't think, Ellinor, that either you or I have the smallest chance of pleasing him; we are too giddy to suit his taste."

“Oh, you flatter," replied Ellinor; "but is he really so irresistible? I should like amazingly to see him."

“Well, then, take care of yourself, for I assure you, jesting apart, he is one of the most elegant men I ever saw; but, as I said before, you and I may console each other, for we are not prudish enough to get into his good graces-he is absurdly fastidious."

'Major Willoughby," said Miss Bertram," is not a bit more fastidious than he ought to be; he is highly esteemed by all who know him, and I am told he is quite adored in the regiment. What I chiefly

admire in him, is his perfect freedom from all airs and affectation; he is not in the least spoiled by the adulation he meets with everywhere."

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Oh," replied Maria, laughing, "Jane thinks him a man of great discernment, for he danced with her the other night at Mrs Dalrymple's, and scarcely spoke to any one else throughout the evening."

"Well," replied Miss Bertram, with a smile, "it is very proper that I should proclaim his merits, when he appeared to be so sensible of mine. I am sure," continued you I would

she, turning to Catherine, "that admire him exceedingly."

"In that case," replied Catherine, "I shall certainly keep out of his way; I have no ambition to wear the willow."

"As for me," said Ellinor, "I am determined to get acquainted with him without loss of time-I am dying to see what kind of animal he is-I shall give Spencer no rest till he introduces him ;-the selfish fellow ought to have done so long ago."

"Depend upon it,” replied Maria, "Spencer is not fool enough to commit such a blunder; he is probably aware that he would be turned to the right-about as soon as the Major made his appearance-he is quite right to keep you all to himself. But, by the by, if you mean seriously to set about captivating Willoughby, you must not let him know that you requested an introduction-even secretly to wish it would be a crime never to be forgiven.".

"Maria," said Miss Bertram, "we must be going; you know papa does not like the horses kept standing so long-pray, come away."

"Oh," said Ellinor, "'tis not late yet; you can make the coachman drive up and down in the street for a little while."

"Indeed we cannot," replied Miss Bertram; "we have another visit to make, so we must be off."

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"I wish," said Maria, you would go and make your visits without me; I shall wait here till you return, for I am not in a

humour to pay any more this morning. So there's a good girl; away with you, and I shall chat with Ellinor till you come back."

"I will not go without you, Maria," replied Miss Bertram; "you know as well as I do that the Grahams are very particular, and if they were to hear of your being in P—, without calling on them, they would be much offended; so pray have done with your excuses, and come away."

"You see, good people, what it is to be a younger sister," said Maria, as she rose unwillingly from her seat. "You are well off, Ellinor, to have all your own way; I would certainly rebel, but that I live in hopes of being soon emancipated from this thraldom. Adieu, Ellinor! come and see us very soon."

"Did you ever see such a self-conceited imp as that Maria Bertram is?" exclaimed Ellinor, as soon as they were out of hearing; "I really think she is more insufferable than ever."

"I never should have suspected that such

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