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FRANCES BEAUMONT.
205


"Good bye! where are you going?"

"I am going to Portsmouth, and this is a sort of a way to it. My ship is under sailing orders, but I could not leave England without a last look at my pretty cousin."

"I am so sorry," said Fanny in a melancholy tone, "I shall miss you so in the holidays."

"And I am sure I shall miss you, but I am glad to go to sea again; I hate staying at home doing nothing. Perhaps a day may come when I shall show my uncle and all of you that I do not forget your kindness."

"But are you really obliged to go to-day? Could you not stay just this one evening?"

"Quite impossible: but I see that I am come just in time, for, Fanny, you are as gay as a queen." So saying he turned her round to admire her dress, and, taking a little parcel from his pocket, undid several folds of paper, and finally produced a small gold chain and a cornelian heart. "I have brought you a keepsake, and you must wear it to-day."