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probably, was the reason that I could never recollect what they told me of her direction."

"Angry, Mr. Giles?" repeated Mrs. Ireton, with an air of restored complacency; "What was it, then, they said of her? Not that I am very curious to hear it, as I presume you will believe! You won't imagine it, I presume, a matter of the first interest to me!"

"O, what they said of her was very bad! very bad, indeed; and that's the reason I give no credit to it."

"Well, well, but what was it?" cried Ireton.

"Why they told me that she was turned toad-eater."

Universal and irresistible smiles throughout the whole company, to the exception of Lady Barbara and Sir Jaspar, now heightened the embarrassment of Juliet into pain and distress: but young Loddard every moment struggled to escape into the garden, through the window; and she did not dare quit her post.