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THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.

CHAPTER XXI.

The great event of the christening of Albert Victor took place the day before that fixed for Baroness Sampson's fête, and a large party was assembled at Pleasance. It had been very trying to Blanche to keep the secret of the living at Chesford so long from Mr. Greydon; but then, as she observed to Aunt Sarah, the course of his true love seemed to run all the more rapidly, because it was so far from being smooth. "I should like him to propose on his three hundred a-year, Aunt Sarah, it would be so romantic and touching."

"And so extraordinarily silly, my dear; that if he did, I should not think him fit to hold the living. Are you anxious he should