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168
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

good to last; and I feel as if I had lost an angel from my side. I was always better when I had been with her."

A rap at the door of her closet interrupted her soliloquy.

"I thought," muttered she, "that I had given strict orders that no one should be admitted—well, come in!" and Lord Marchmont made his appearance. "The very person I most wished to see!" exclaimed Henrietta, starting up, eagerly, to receive him.

"My dear Lady Marchmont, your energy is positively startling," said he, slowly articulating his words, and deliberately seating himself in an arm-chair, which he moved twice; once to avoid the air from an open window, and next to avoid the sun.

His wife well knew that it was in vain to speak till he had finished his arrangements for his personal comfort; and she solaced her impatience by tearing a rose to pieces.

Lord Marchmont was about thirty years of age, and what is generally called a fine-looking man. His figure was good, as far as his