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pitiful egotist, who seeks nothing but his own diversion; indifferent whose peace, comfort, or reputation pays its purchase."

"I am infinitely obliged," said Ellis, "that you will suffer the whole to drop; but I must not do the same by my commission! —You must let me, now, enter more particularly upon my charge, and tell you—"

"Forgive, forgive me!" cried he, eagerly: "I comprehend all that Miss Joddrel can have to say. But my impatience is irrepressible upon a far different subject; one that awakens the most lively interest, that occupies my thoughts, that nearly monopolizes my memory; and that exhausts—yet never wearies my conjectures.—That letter you were so good as to mention to me?—and the plan you may at length decide to pursue?—permit me to hope, that the communication you intend me, has some reference to those points?"

"I should be truly glad of your