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THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.

there was no grand breakfast, no great gathering of mere acquaintances, no long speeches—but there were a few warm friends, much affection, hearts that responded warmly to the vows that were made solemnly, and a bright promise of happiness. Then came the hurried parting, and all was over, and they were gone.

"Oh! Rachel, my dear," said the weeping mother, "you are almost another daughter to me. I wish you could make up your mind to marry Willis, and take my Mary's place, and then you would belong to us, and we should all be settled like the people at the end of a play. Could you not just fall in love with him?"

"Quite impossible, my dear Mrs. Hopkinson, and no blame to Mr. Willis; I do not believe it is in my power to fall in love with anybody."

"Then, my dear, you may just as well marry him as another. I think with you, that you are not like my foolish children, capable of being desperately in love; but