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268
FRANCES BEAUMONT.

any one. Besides she won’t be angry with me, so come; it is only reversing old times. I used to mind you, and now you must mind me."

Miss Elphinstone waited no further denial, but hurried her prize off to her own apartment. It was a little pretty room fitted up with every possible luxury, trinkets, toys, books and flowers were scattered in every direction.

She drew an arm chair to the fire, threw a large Indian shawl round Fanny, placed a table near: "You used to like reading," said she, pointing to the volumes upon it. "Now, be a good child, and wait patiently till I return, which shall be as soon as possible. Really I must now hurry off, Mrs. Bennett, else, will insist that I have run away."

"But your wreath, let me alter it," said Fanny.

"I had forgotten all about it," replied the other, and stooping down, she had it loosened. "It is not the first time that you have dressed me," said Emmeline, with a grateful and affectionate look. The door closed after her, and