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turning with an air of gentleness to the mute Elinor, "is aware how little a single woman is allowed to act publicly for herself, without risk of censure."
"Censure?" interrupted Elinor, disdainfully, "you know I despise it!"
He affected not to hear her, and continued, "Miss Joddrel leaves, therefore, Madam, to your established situation in life, the protection of a young person whom circumstances have touchingly cast upon your compassion, and who seems as innocent as she is indigent, and as formed, nay elegant in her manners, as she is obscure and secret in her name and history. I make not any doubt but Miss Joddrel would be foremost to sustain her from the dangers of lonely penury, to which she seems exposed if deserted, were my brother already—"
He approached Elinor, lowering his voice; she rose to quit the room, with a look of deep resentment; but could not first escape hearing him finish his speech with "as happy as I hope soon to see him!"
