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fortunateestablishmentforthecomfortsoflife.”Sheconcludedbydemandingmycongratulations.Igavethemsomewhatawkwardly,Ibelievefor,infact,thesuddendisclosureofsoimportantamattertookfrommethepowerofspeakingwithanyclearness.Shethankedme,however,mostaffectionately,formykindconcerninthewelfareofherselfanddaughterandthensaid:“Iamnotapttodealinprofessions,mydearMrs.Vernon,andIneverhadtheconvenienttalentofaffectingsensationsforeigntomyheartandthereforeItrustyouwillbelievemewhenIdeclare,thatmuchasIhadheardinyourpraisebeforeIknewyou,IhadnoideathatIshouldeverloveyouasInowdoandImustfurthersaythatyourfriendshiptowardsmeismoreparticularlygratifyingbecauseIhavereasontobelievethatsomeattemptsweremadetoprejudiceyouagainstme.Ionlywishthatthey,whoevertheyare,towhomIamindebtedforsuchkindintentions,couldseethetermsonwhichwenowaretogether,andunderstandtherealaffectionwefeelforeachotherbutIwillnotdetainyouanylonger.Godblessyou,foryourgoodnesstomeandmygirl,andcontinuetoyouallyourpresenthappiness.”Whatcanonesayofsuchawoman,mydearmother?Suchearnestness,suchsolemnityofexpression!andyetIcannothelpsuspectingthetruthofeverythingshesays.AsforReginald,Ibelievehedoesnotknowwhattomakeofthematter.WhenSirJamescame,heappeare