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may continue; but for the present, I shall employ Catherine, as she always transacts these affairs."

At this rebuke Ellinor actually blushed; while Catherine, anxious to terminate the subject, said hastily, that she would do what Lady Lennox wished in the evening.

An embarrassed pause ensued, which was at length broken by Willoughby, who arose, took leave with a grave countenance, and departed.

Absorbed in painful reflection, Willough by walked slowly home. The occurrences of the morning wounded and grieved him. One moment he accused Ellinor of unfeeling flippancy; and the next, he attributed all that was wrong in her conduct and sentiments, to innocent and thoughtless gaiety. Still her words recurred incessantly to his mind; and he could not conceal from himself, that they left there an impression far from favourable to her.

He at length arrived at the Barracks, and having some regimental business to

transact with Spencer, he sought him in his apartment. After discussing the af fair on account of which he wished to see Spencer, Willoughby, observing his gravity and dejection, and anxious to dispel his gloom, gaily addressed him.

"Well, my friend," said he, "how does the siege in Hope-street go on, and when are we to have you Benedict? If I did not know to the contrary, that gloomy air would almost persuade me, that the grand affair had taken place at least a year ago." Major Willoughby," said Spencer indignantly, "this is conduct, sir, which I did not expect from you, nor from any man of honour."

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"Conduct!" repeated Willoughby, in great amazement; " your words, sir, require explanation."

"If," replied Spencer scornfully, "you will be pleased to review your conduct for the few last months, you will be at no loss to comprehend my meaning."

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Captain Spencer," said Willoughby,

"this is language which I neither understand, nor will submit to; my conduct ever has been, and, I trust, will continue to be, irreproachable but if you, sir, have any accusation to bring against me, let it be done in an open, honourable manner, and I am ready to meet the charge."

"Honour!" retorted Spencer; " 'tis but a cloak for deceit and hypocrisy. But there was a time," said he, with increasing vehemence, "when I did believe that you, Willoughby, would have been the last man on earth to act to me as you have done. But that time is past, and I find that you also can deceive, and that too under the mask of morality and religion.”

"Spencer," exclaimed Willoughby, in considerable agitation, "the belief that you labour under some delusion alone prevents me from calling you to account for your most unjust accusations;-but I am convinced that some mistake has happened. Say, then, at once, in what way you suppose I have wronged you; for from your

words and manner, I am led to believe, that you consider yourself to be aggrieved by what you are pleased to term my dishonourable conduct."

"And what not only I, but all the world, must term dishonourable. I did not expect," continued he, with bitterness, "to find, in the fastidious, moral, religious Major Willoughby, a man of the world, who does not scruple to employ every art of which he knows so well how to avail himself, to supplant his friend in the affections of the only woman he ever truly loved. Now, sir, this is my charge;-deny it if you dare?"

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"I do deny it,-solemnly deny it,” exclaimed Willoughby. Spencer," he continued, with increased agitation, "by Heavens, you do me wrong

"This is too much," exclaimed Spencer. "What, sir, do you dare to deny that you have used every effort to rival me in the affections of Miss Lennox? Will you deny,

that to you I stand indebted for her present neglect and scorn ?"

"Miss Lennox, did you say?" replied Willoughby, in the utmost amazement ; "Miss Lennox !"

"Yes, sir, I said Miss Lennox,-you at least should not forget the name: but wonder, sir, is not refutation. You will scarcely, I should think, hope to disprove attentions to Miss Lennox, which so many have witnessed."

"I deny them not," said Willoughby; "but I assure you, I never for one moment believed that it was Miss Lennox to whom you were attached. You, Spencer, must have the candour to allow, that there was nothing in her manner to you, which could lead me to believe that she loved you on the contrary, such was her reception of me, as to induce a belief that her heart was free;-and your attentions, Spencer, were they not all directed to Miss Dundas? I solemnly declare, on the word of a man of honour, that, till this moment,

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