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DUTY AND INCLINATION.

the graceful attractions of her person, rendered her at that moment an object truly fascinating to Valpée, and every sense was lost in pleasure and admiration. The beautiful piece finished, Oriana arose from her seat, and received with a grateful pleasure the praises it elicited. In compliance with the request of the ladies, Valpée then gave another solo on his flute, after which, none of the ladies willing to dispute the palm with Oriana, she was called upon a second time, and was about complying, when Sir Charles entered, accompanied by some gentlemen, amongst whom were Sir Howard Sinclair and Captain Douglas. A whisper of "Hush! hush!" ran through the apartment. Sir Charles turning to his new visitors put his finger to his lip in token of silence, and Oriana commenced: she had been solicited to add the accompaniment of her voice, the tender pathos of which happily accorded with the sentiment of her song; her words distinctly as they were heard, filled the fancy, communicating the most delightful sensations. Sweet and clear her tones thrilled in higher sounds, when gradually decreasing, they faintly died away, and naught was heard but the harps reverberating echo, and Valpée's low and unconscious exclamation of delight.

The gentlemen who had remained at the door