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VIVIAN GREY.
17

ceived. Oh! Mr. Grey, I am a man spare of my speech to those with whom I am unacquainted; and the world calls me a soured, malicious man. And yet, when I think for a moment, that one so young as you are, with such talents, and, as I will believe, with so pure a spirit, should be the dupe, or tool, or even present friend, of such a creature as this perjured Peer, I could really play the woman——and weep."

"Mr. Cleveland," said Vivian—and the drop which glistened in his eye, responded to the tear of passion which slowly quivered down his companion's cheek,—"I am grateful for your kindness; and although we shall most probably part, in a few hours, never to meet again, I will speak to you with the frankness which you have merited, and to which I feel you are entitled. I am not the dupe of the Marquess of Carabas; I am not, I trust, the dupe, or tool, of any one whatever. Believe me. Sir,