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glancing at their dress," you seem adorned for conquest. Poor Sir Pelham little knows the traps that are set for him; but if he is a man of the smallest taste, he will prefer Catherine's plain morning dress to all these blue and scarlet trappings. You are both far too much adorned, to please a man of sentiment. Ellinor," he continued, "if you wish that Sir Pelham should admire you, you must look less determined to captivate him."

"Me determined to captivate him!" said Ellinor in a rage at being found out; and still more so, that he thought there was a probability of Catherine's rivalling her: "I don't care three straws for the man."

" if

"What then are all these streamers for," said Charles, highly amused by her rage, you have no design on this Baronet ?" "I suppose people may wear blue ribbons without having these motives assigned for it. "Tis no such uncommon occurrence, I think. But I wonder I mind you.”

"I wonder that too," said Charles laugh

ing. "And why," he said, addressing Catherine, who was sitting on the sofa, netting, "are you not giving yourself a chance?you don't know what may happen."

"I leave everything to fate," said Catherine gaily; "but I won't see the Baronet to-day, for I have promised to go out with Clara, and I am just going to put on my bonnet. I must, therefore, trust to you for a description of this all-conquering gentleman."

Mrs Lennox and Ellinor, delighted at the thoughts of having Sir Pelham all to themselves, did not oppose Catherine's determination; and Charles, finding that he could not laugh her out of her promise to Clara, said he would go with them.

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"Me ready now, aunt Catherine!" exclaimed Clara, running into the roomWhy is your bonnet not on? mine is on." "I shall soon put my bonnet on," said Catherine, as she quitted the room for that purpose; "be a good child till I come back.”

The trio had not been long gone, when a tremendous peal announced Sir Pelham. "I hear him coming up stairs," said Ellinor to Mrs Lennox;" are my curls out?" "Not at all; but how are mine ?"

Quite nice-hush! here he is." "Sir Pelham Talmash!" exclaimed William, opening the door to its full width.

Her ladyship, who happened to be in the room, received him with great politeness; and, after having introduced him to Mrs Lennox and Ellinor, she pulled the bell, and desired that Sir Thomas should be told that Sir Pelham Talmash was in the drawing-room.

The Baronet soon obeyed this summons; and, after having a second time introduced Sir Pelham to the ladies, the conversation became general.

If the Lennoxes were struck with Sir Pelham, they had no cause to be dissatisfied with the impression they had made on him. He could not but discover that their manners were of the first class. Mrs Len

nox was evidently a woman of fashion; Ellinor he thought beautiful; but though he allowed that her features were faultless, she failed to interest him; and as he again took another look at her, he could not but wonder why he did not admire her more.

Having made a most unfashionable visit, he withdrew. Sir Thomas, who was quite of the old school, insisted on seeing him to the door; and as William opened it to let him out, Catherine and Charles enteredthe former looking more lovely than ever from the brilliant complexion which her walk had occasioned. Sir Pelham, thinking they were visitors to the family, politely stepped aside to allow them to pass; but the moment Sir Thomas saw them, turning to the Baronet, he said, " Allow me to introduce you to my niece, Miss Dundas, and to Mr Lennox, my son."

Catherine curtsied, and Sir Pelham bowed, and so they parted.

"I am surprised, Charles," said Sir Tho

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