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FRANCES BEAUMONT.
273


"Say no more," interrupted Miss Elphinstone, "your accomplishments will secure any situation. Just let me get home, and we will see what can be done."

Again the servant entered, to say that Mrs. Bennett had been waiting in the drawing-room above an hour for Miss Elphinstone. The friends affectionately embraced, and parted hastily; while Fanny sat down, and began to think over the events of the morning. She felt that she had done rightly, and, while her heart warmed at the thought of Emmeline's kindness, she could not endure the idea of dependence on her generosity—a generosity, too, unsanctioned by her father. Still a person of Mr. Elphinstone's position in society might serve her in many ways. She was justified in desiring to change her situation, her health, her spirits, were rapidly giving way. Surely she might obtain a situation where she would be treated with something like kindness, and where the children might do some credit to her care. Her first step was to acquaint Mr.