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THE SCARLET FEVER.

BY P. P. C.

"No-I never will marry any one but a soldier, I have quite resolved on that," exclaimed Adeline Turner, with great energy, raising her pretty eyes to her father's well-plumed and epauletted portrait; "I am quite determined."

"What's a woman's determination worth, sister fair? "I'll bet you a new riding horse, you would, if tempted, be in love with even a medical student like myself, before the month is out."

"Bet!" repeated the sister with great scorn, "so like you would-be M. D's. all those sorts of things-bet, no lady bets, sir! I wonder why papa did not give you a commission, and make a gentleman of you.'

"Because," answered George Turner, colouring angrily, "because I don't like your gentlemen, Miss Turner, flashing and flirting over the country, breaking silly girls' hearts, and starving credulous tradesmen people whose bills and VOWS are equally neglected-paste diamonds smartly set in Birmingham tinsel ! such gentlemen!"

"You are as unjust as untrue," tartly replied the champion of the red coats; "you are only likely to make me like them better for their being so attacked. Because a few flirt, why abuse the whole army."

was always spoiled; equally undisciplined was the clever George, and he happened to turn out (for an ill-educated child's character is all a chance) both brusque and unconciliating, and sometimes a little surly. He despised the showy idle trade of arms, preferring a profession with plenty of work for the mind, and he chose medicine, a choice his military sister never forgave. He was now preparing to establish a practice in his native place, having studied for some years at a German college, and grievously did he complain of Adeline's rage for soldiers, and contempt for his own quieter employment. Highly indignant with her on this occasion, he went off to the town (for his father's pretty villa was on the outskirts) and while he went, he mischievously endeavoured to concoct some plan in the way of a practical joke for the punishment of her bad taste. Wrapped in these benevolent imaginations, he was suddenly startled by a hearty halloo behind him, and then somebody thrust an arm into his, and a merry voice cried :

"Well, Mr. George, what has come over you? cutting your old friends dead in this way; did'nt you see me when you brushed past so unceremoniously?"

"Why, Latimer, who thought to see you in Wallingford ! and how is your sweet sister Violet?" "And how is your sweet sister Adeline, eh?" "Not so sensible as yours, my good fellow. I am quite sick of her whims; to come back home George forgot this when he began disputing; and find one's profession despised by one's only and, as both were so warm, they very soon drew sister; really too provoking! I think she's mad!" near a quarrel; foreseeing which, George ran off "Heyday, insanity in the family! and poor me before things grew irreparable between them. How-hurrying up quite prepared to fall in love with ever, he managed to have the "last word," slamming the door after him, as he cried-" I keep to my bet-engaged-no, but in love with a medical student before the month is out; and this is the first of July!"

Perhaps Adeline's usual penchant was heightened just then by the fact that the -th, of the line, was daily expected in Wallingford, her native town. The gallant -th, the stylish-th, the "crack" regiment! no wonder the young ladies of Wallingford had all the scarlet fever, and their pulses considerably above summer heat.

Colonel Turner, the father of our pretty maiden, was a curious mixture of native indolence and acquired bravery. His father had forced him into the army, and, in self-defence he became a hero, climbed the bristling ramparts of St. Sebastian, and sank wounded on red Saragossa; and finding crosses and stars falling on him, compared himself to Malvolio, for he had "greatness thrust on him." Of course he loved to fight over his battles in wordy war, and Adeline, like Desdemona, sate and listened, and drank in enthusiasm till she fancied all earthly happiness must attend the bride of a hero. Had she read Lord Ellenborough's avowal, how her heart would have leaped to such congenial sentiments!"That as the noblest of all professions is that of a soldier, so the highest of all honours are military honours." Certainly that noble lord should have had medical advice for the scarlet fever.

Colonel Turner was a fond and indulgent father. Adeline was never controlled, and therefore she

the lovely phantom you used to descant on in Germany. Never saw any of the hereditary complaint in you, George."

"This is hereditary, she has caught it from my father; and such wild 'hero worship,' as Carlyle would call it, as possesses her, and makes her look down on all peaceable citizens for the sake of her fine swash bucklers. I was wishing I could play her some trick that would bring her to her senses."

"Oh, I'll help you. I am ready for any fun I've got a plot in my brain already; come along to my lodgings, and we will lay it out as clear as a chart."

But we must let no one into their secret; so if the reader has any curiosity, he must e'en repress it, and plod on with us in the even tenour of our tale.

The next day the th marched into Wallingford with all the pomp and circumstance of warriors, though indeed they had never known the smell of powder. What a commotion they caused in Wallingford. How did the young ladies sport their sweetest smiles in honour of the handsome officers; and the housemaids their brightest ribbons in honour of the equally handsome privates. Every quiet household suddenly fermented: younger brothers preferred the dusty road by the barracks now, to all rides, though a week previously they had anathematized its want of shade; elder brothers, eloquent of the merits of "ours," each praising his own regiment, became the highest authorities on all matters of etiquette connected with the th; in short, the whole society of Wal

lingford was in a high state of inflammation from the scarlet fever, and of all those who required "lowering treatment" for the disorder, Adeline Turner was the worst; even George the cynical doctor, seemed to be yielding to the contagion. He not only condescended to call on half-a-dozen or so of the officers, to dine at the mess, or agreed to the return dinners at his father's villa, but he actually in Adeline's astonished ears pronounced them to be "capital good fellows, only spoiled, of course, by all that monkey frippery."

Near the Turners' house stretched a fair manor park, winding its woody labyrinths round an old weather-beaten mansion. The owner of Beaulieu, for so it was called, seldom lived there, but being much attached to the Turners, he had left them permission of free access to the grounds, and also empowered them to take with them intimate friends. Here then George and Adeline strayed about ten days after we first met them. It was a scene of English woodland beauty; impressive with its venerable trees, and deep glades, and most heart-cheering with its sunny sward and sweet evening song of wood doves. The sun was setting, but gazing with a crimson flush on the pure, fair face of a quiet lake, that gently heaved, as if trembling under that ardent look.

A little rivulet, like a child escaping from its mother, leaped out of its arms, and ran heedlessly into the wood, far out of sight among the fern and flowers. Adeline felt all the influence of the scene, deep in her heart she owned nature's hallowing power, and the glory of that sunlight rested lovingly on her face.

"George!" she exclaimed hastily, at last, "look, there's the flash of an epaulette at the end of yonder green alley; I am sure I never gave leave to any of the th to come here."

"But--I did" said George, hesitatingly, and would have explained, had not his sister triumphantly interrupted him.

"Ah, ha! this is your consistency; you who have ever railed at the army, to admit an officer into our very sanctuary! Never call me soldier-mad again."

"But Adeline," said George, in a tone of selfexculpation; "this is a very different man from the rest, Ensign Sedley-a fine fellow-too good for a soldier."

"What! the Harry Sedley you were speaking of the other day? has he returned from leave? Major Arnold said he was to stay."

"Never mind Major Arnold, he is near you!" And at that moment up came the said ensign, who was presented in due form, and received with due graciousness. He was very handsome, very dévouée in his manners, had a low sweet voice, and a smile of the most winning suavity, and, unlike most ensigns, he was neither conceited nor shallowpated. Adeline was prepared to like him; and pray what ensign was prepared to dislike a pretty naïve girl of seventeen? So they became great friends; and the manor park of Beaulieu had never been so explored before, as it was now doomed to be; and George was not always disengaged for a walk when the evening was fine, and Adeline had so few young lady friends, and it was

so dull for her to walk alone, and surely unsafe likewise, and-and-well, my good honest reader, gaping like a thirsty canary, can you never guess what all these ands led to? Commend me to a woodland walk for following up an acquaintance. The beauty of nature softening the heart to obey the Scripture rule of "love to your neighbour;" the hush of the woods in which you can hear your own frightened pulses; the heat which makes you too languid to think, and only able to feel; in short, whoever rashly gets into the habit of taking country walks with a young lady, may give himself over for lost; and had better inquire with a desperate calmness for the residence of the surrogate, that purveyor of licences for holy wedlock.

It is autumn now, and two lovers stand by that fair dimpling lake, where the swans are floating majestically among the water-lilies.

"Is it possible, Adeline, you are not curious to know what answer your father gave to my presumptuous suit?"

"Oh, I know; he would not dare to refuse me anything!"

"Well, he certainly answered he never wished to interfere with your affections; that if you chose to try love in a barrack, you were welcome, but that he thought it would be very uncomfortable."

"But I have my mother's settlement-five thousand pounds, and with your pay, that would give us nearly three hundred a year.'

"My poor Adeline," said the lover, sadly yet smiling, "this for you who have had all luxuries at your command. You could not be happy with me on that meagre pittance. How selfishly I have acted to seek your too delightful love!"

"Oh, no!" exclaimed she, with all a woman's disinterestedness, "do not think so meanly of me. I have long kept my father's house; I know exactly how far money will go in necessaries, and do you fancy I should miss such extras as my harp, or horse, or greenhouse?"

Would you not rather," he said abruptly, fixing his eyes on her, "that I were something else; say a doctor, and rich, and could give you all you have been accustomed to?"

"No, no!" she said quickly, "I glory in your profession; I would not have you otherwise, and I am glad you have nothing, that I may make some sacrifice to show my love."

"Yet you would not sacrifice your prejudices for me," he said with emphasis. "Suppose I were not an officer now, and had deceived you?"

"Deceived me!" she repeated with all her old hauteur," that could not be, do not speak of anything so disagreeable. Let us speak of to-morrow's gay ball; surely," and her tone changed to a coaxing playfulness, "surely, Sedley, you'll waive your horror of balls for once. I never saw such a hermit, you're never at anything like gaiety." "No, no, dearest; I cannot really go. Do not ask me."

Adeline's brow clouded.

"I did'nt think you would refuse the very first favour I asked of you."

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"What mighty reasons, pray?"

"Oh, I've no regimentals; my dress suit is so shabby, and there is no time to get new ones; besides which," he added, trying to laugh it off, "if we two are to live on three hundred a year, I must not waste it on ball-room finery."

"But this election ball is something particular," persisted Adeline; and, not to weary the reader with the argument, she persisted till, like all women set upon any object, she carried her point, and drew a reluctant promise from her lover to attend the ball.

"But remember! if any evil comes of it, you have brought it on yourself."

"What can he meau ?" thought Adeline, on her way home; "it sounds quite like a prophecy." The election ball was a magnificent affair, and moreover, not heavy, as magnificence generally is. There was the usual compliment of political flags outside and in; the staircase was political, for it was hung with festoons of tory mazarine, and had a very emblematic transparency over the doorway; the ball-room was political, for almost every one wore the colours of the favourite; the very supperroom was political, for the poor fowls and jellies were choked with ruffles of true blue, and the clever man of sweets had set forth the charing of the successful member in such coloured sugar figures as usually adorn a twelfth cake. All was in most harmonious keeping, as one of the orators of the election pronounced in the toast of the night.

Adeline, lovely and happy, leant on Sedley's arm; he was in full blaze of dress uniform, and she was not the only one whose eyes were attracted to him. With girlish vanity she rejoiced to see many turn to look after her handsome partner, and to hear many inquire his name from those around. In the quadrille near them, George was dancing, ay, and flirting vehemently with an elegant girl in a dress of white and gold, which well became her dark eyes and flowing hair. They both looked often towards Adeline, and once or twice she thought she caught a furtive arch glance directed by the lady to her betrothed, and when she looked up in Sedley's face, he was colouring with confusion, and yet with an ill suppressed glee. This, two or three times occurring, at last made Adeline restless and uneasy; and George being dismissed at the end of the dance, she pounced on him as he passed, with an impatient query

"Take care," laughed George, "Sedley knows all about the Fanshaws, and is particularly fond of the pretty sister."

"Very fond," chimed in Sedley.

“So I saw,” said Adeline, with a twinge of jealous pique. Sedley laughed in her face, nor could she help laughing too, at her own folly.

"You are quite wrong sister, to dislike Latimer. Sedley will tell you he is one of the finest fellows breathing."

"Why," said Sedley, thus appealed to; "if being heir to his uncle's baronetcy and Holles Park does not constitute a fine fellow, what in the world does?"

"But," said Adeline, contemptuously, "if he is heir to so much, why does he follow so paltry & trade as medicine ?"

"Really, I cannot defend his taste," responded the soldier; "but I believe it was to gratify his old uncle's wishes, who you know made both his money and his title as a physician."

"That was some excuse, but it could not keep him from contamination. I am sure I know what he was like, after such an ordeal, especially as I have heard George describe him."

"Could you point him out, if in the room now?"

"I dare say. Let us see: pale, sallow face, long lank hair, falling as young Germany delighteth to wear it, over a loose Byronic collar, figure like but you are laughing at me!" she exclaimed, pettishly breaking off, "I dare say you think me very silly. Look, there is George flirting again with the sister. How pretty and aristocratic she is! which praise of mine, Mr. Sedley (this was another twinge of jealousy), seems to delight you exceedingly."

"Of course," answered Sedley," it delights me to hear one woman praising another's beauty. It is so unlike the sex!"

But now a new dance struck up its lively strain, and as Adeline was engaged, Sedley bowed and handed her over to an impatient officer, before she could utter the retort his banter merited. On went the ball, and carried Adeline down the swift current of adulation and flattery, for she was confessedly one of the belles of the night. But her spirits failed her, for she saw Sedley devote himself to the elegant Miss Fanshawe, and alternate with George in wholly monopolizing the young lady; at supper she was seated near them, and was half-provoked to see how happy and confidential a trio they made. Once, when Sedley nodded laughingly across to her with his glass at his lips, she felt so offended and vexed at his nonchalance, that she complained to her partner that the supper-room "Oh !" said George, eagerly, "she is Venus in was hot and oppressive. Of course this hint made person! such eyes! and such a voice! ask Sed-him offer his escort back to the ball-room, and ley, he knows all about her, she is Miss Violet Fanshawe, niece of Sir Robert Fanshawe, of Holles park, and sister of my friend Latimer Fanshawe, whom I've often mentioned to you."

"Who is that handsome girl? and how did you

first know her?"

"Yes," said Adeline, curling her lip, "the elegant youth, who shared your German college tricks! a creature who drinks oceans of muddy beer, and smokes twenty hours out of the twentyfour, and talks Kant's metaphysics.”

they walked away, Adeline showing a vast deal of thrown-away dignity. The ball-room was cool and nearly empty, but some industrious individuals were trying to form a quadrille. A young ensign, introduced that evening to Adeline, approached her now, and solicited her hand; but Adeline remembered Sedley had asked her for the first dance after supper, and hoping he would follow her from the supper-room, and desirous to detach

him from the pretty girl she almost fancied was a rival, she excused herself "being engaged to Mr. Sedley."

"Pon honour, always first with the ladies!" minced the ensign. "Sedley, my fine fellow, why do you leave your pretty partner, when the dance is beginning?"

"I never saw that blushing little beauty till tonight, never spoke to her! been thinking of an introduction, but it is such an unparalleled fatigue making oneself charming in these hot rooms," and the speaker lounged listlessly on the rich damask of the luxurious sofa."

"Well, 'pon honour, I heard her say she was engaged to you."

"Engaged! Oh, in that case I can't refuse any lady's offer; so she shall be. Fairest lady!" he continued in a tone of mock gallantry, as he approached Adeline; "forgive me that I forgot my engagement, I am only too happy to keep it! Kindly thus remind me when I chance again to prove recreant to my devotion to so lovely a lady."

"Indeed, sir !" said Adeline haughtily, "I have much to forgive; I have not the honour of your acquaintance."

"How you fair ones enjoy caprice," he still went on. "Is it mere coquetry on your part? You have this minute announced yourself engaged to me; 'tis a privilege I am not likely to renounce lightly. Your hand, lady, for the dance."

"No, no," said Adeline hastily; for some officers had gathered round, and seemed maliciously amused. “No, no, you are mistaken, and so am I; it is Ensign Harry Sedley I mean, quite another person."

carriage. Ah! Lady Warner, I give Adeline over to your kind charge; only a little upset by the heat! she is not accustomed, you know, to these very crowded balls: good night." Then as the carriage drove off, a shadow came over his face, and he returned moodily to the ball-room.

*

The morning after the eventful ball was warm and lovely, and though October, the French sashes of the breakfast-room were opened to the lawn, and the late roses and geraniumns peeped into the interior. The breakfast was untouched; George was pacing up and down in great excitement; and Adeline sat with her eyelids heavy with tears, and her face eloquent of both anger and distress.

"And this, she exclaimed, vehemently, "this is your brotherly love! to make your sister a butt for ridicule, and the mock courtship of any imposter who choses to make love under false pretences! I think you and your deceiving friend will require to leave Wallingford for a season. I am sure I shall! I never will see his false face again !" and now in spite of Adeline's contempt, tears would force their way.

"My dear girl," pleaded George, "Latimer really is devoted to you, he was in earnest all along."

"Devoted to a girl whom his very attentions were holding up to universal ridicule! Is that your dea of earnestness?"

"Dear Adeline," again remonstrated George, "it was a silly joke of two young men, and unluckily it turned into earnest. We began, quite thoughtlessly, merely intending a quiz on your love for officers. Then poor Latimer got fairly out of "I am Harry Sedley!" cried her persecutor, his depth, and was afraid you would break it all triumphantly. "Who dares to borrow that well-off; and while we were cogitating how we should known name? Nay, lady, you cannot get off. You've confessed yourself engaged to Harry Sedley, and he's not the man to give up a pretty girl; mine you are, and mine you must be !"

Poor Adeline shrunk back in terror from the notice she was attracting, and from the bold, not very sober manner of the self-announced Sedley.

"Where is my brother? where is Lady Warner? my chaperon," she cried, looking eagerly around her. At that moment George, greatly excited, broke through the groups clustered before her, seized her hand, and drew her rapidly towards the door.

"Lady Warner is waiting for you to go home," he repeated aloud, "come, quick!"

"George, George!" she whispered earnestly, "tell me what does all this mean? who is that man?"

"Puppy!" muttered George between his teeth, "you should not have left us at supper, this would never have occurred, if you had kept sight of us." "Where is Sedley?" she asked.

"Gone home with Miss Fanshawe. Don't ask any questions. You'll hear all about it to-morrow." "Oh, this wretched, wretched ball !" exclaimed Adeline, bursting into tears, "Oh, I wish none of us had ever come to it!"

"Silly girl! said George roughly, "what good is there in whimpering now? Hush! here's the

get you round, this abominable ball set all topsyturvey. Who would have imagined that fool Sedley would hurry up before his leave was out, for such a stupid affair as a country ball! Latimer could not resist you; you were so peremptory, and he was so much in love." Perhaps-but we are not sure-Adeline's face here betrayed a slight blush, not of displeasure. George continued,"It has always been a joke with the-th, Latimer's personation of Sedley. We put it upon a bet he had with a college friend, and they quite entered into the fun of it; and nobody suspected you were concerned in it, till you made that fracas last night. However, I dare say they did not see half you fancied they did; and that goose Sedley was half tipsy, and apologized very handsomely this morning, so there was no exposé after all !"

"Apologized!" shrieked Adeline in a new terror. Did you see him?-surely, surely, George, you did not mean to-t0——"

"To fight him?-of course I did!" answered the young man. "Do you think any conceited fop of a soldier shall insult my sister with impunity?"

"Oh, George!" exclaimed Adeline-her tears now flowing unopposed. "And through me, you might have been this morning murdered, or else a murderer."

"No, no," said George, smiling; "it was my

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own fault, for I made up the plot, so don't be | Adey says she must make the best of her harsh with poor Latimer, but shew your good bargain. She's quite cured of scarlet fever now. sense by passing it over." Indeed, she has such confidence in my medical "Oh!" said Adeline, resuming her contemp-powers, that she has offered-yes, volunteeredtuous tone, "that is quite another thing. I never the management of the pestle-and-mortar departwish to see Mr.-he has so many names-again. ment." He is quite an adept in deceit he is not to be trusted. I never wish to meet him again !" "Oh yes, but you do; you are just as much in love as ever, and so is he, poor fellow !"

Adeline's lowering frown seemed half clearing, as if to make room for smiles.

"Come," continued her brother, coaxingly, "only think how grateful you ought to be; that beautiful girl is his sister. Last night you were somewhat jealous of her attractions, eh, Adeline? [A pout on the lady's lip.] That all you thought was coquetry should turn out mere fraternal kindliness! and such a nice sister, as you ladies say. [A slight smile on the lady's lip.] So fascinating really, she might have been a most formidable rival. Here a sigh of relief from the lady.] Ah, yes, you see matters sensibly now! I'll send Latimer to plead his own cause.'

66 No, no," exclaimed Adeline, "I will not see him-no, indeed!"

"Very well!" said George, with quiet despair, "take your own way. It will certainly look rather odd to dismiss your betrothed husband without hearing him in self-defence. You are worse than the law's justice, and that is sometimes bad enough!-no congé from you! I do not believe Latimer will take his dismissal from me. I shall have to fight him next, I suppose." Adeline started nervously-"Send him then, but tell him, it is only for a last farewell."

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"Halloo!" whistled George, in ecstacy, and ere Adeline's permission had well escaped her lips, Latimer Fanshawe dashed in through the open sash, and caught ber in his arms. George, very discreetly, turned his back, and walked on to the lawn, for there stood the lovely Violet, looking as fresh and sweet as a violet ought to do. An hour or two elapsed, but the flight of time was unnoticed by both the couple in the parlour, and the equally entranced couple on the lawn.

Poor Colonel Turner, who had no pressing feelings to interfere with his appetite, after waiting long and patiently for breakfast, descended at last in a state of wondering voracity, and, on throwing open the parlour door, descried his fair Adeline seated, tearful and smiling too, on the sofa, with an arm round her waist belonging to him he knew as Sedley. Moreover George, through the window, might plainly be perceived holding Miss Fanshawe's hand, and in a highly excited frame of mind, as his gestures denoted. "Heyday, my dear, what's this?" quoth the quiet papa.

"Nonsense," said Adeline, "you know, Sedley," she stopped, grew very confused, and reddened-Latimer laughed.

"Promised-did'nt I-to' throw physic to the dogs-I'll none of it.' Very well, my pretty despot!"

"And is this young lady to be married too?" asked the colonel, turning to Violet, who coloured violently, and slid away from the general laugh.

"No, not yet," said George, "more's the pity!" "So I think," said the colonel, his eye following her with admiration; and accordingly he stepped out after her.

"There goes my father to try his skill at flirting," said George, and he turned quickly upon his sister-"I thought you only wished to see Latimer for a last farewell! I thought you could never trust the traitor again. Pray, Latimer, do you sail for America to-night? I thought, Adeline, you were determined to marry a soldier. How do you cheat your conscience of its vows ?"

"It is very different now," said Adeline, somewhat abashed" at least, he is not going to continue a physician."

"No," added Latimer, “we are to have love in a cottage ornée, and compound lollypops instead of pills!"

"Well, Miss Adey, this is all very fine, but I have won my bet. You were in love with a medical student before the month was out;—yes, blush as you choose; for you know you did'nt know Sedley a week before you were in a hopeless condition." Adeline coloured, and yet laughed.

"Perish Sedley and his memory!" cried Lati

mer.

"Nay," said she softly, "as Sedley I knew you, as Sedley you won me-why forget him?" "As Sedley I won you, but as Fanshawe I'll wear you, and make you an unprejudiced and good little wife!"

"Ha ha!" shouted George, "bravo for your talent in managing the womankind! Ah, if you can only turn a Fanshawe into a Turner as cleverly as you are converting a Turner into a Fanshawe, I shall be eternally your debtor! Here come my father and your sister, eyeing the cold breakfast rather ominously."

"Good gracious!" said the Colonel, seizing a chair, "I am perfectly starved, and so is Miss Fanshawe-we are not in love, which you seem to consider pretty substantial diet itself. Oh dear! the muffins are as tough as leather! and the toast is worse! and the eggs are cold! Goodness me! Adeline, you've filled up my chocolate cup with vinegar, and poured the cream over Sedley's-ah, dear, what is his name?-pickled salmon! My dear' Miss Fanshawe, never mind them-you're the only sensible person; you're not in love." "But I thought," said the veteran, sorely "Don't be too sure of that!" muttered George. puzzled, "his name was Sedley-Ensign Sedley." You will be asked to her wedding some fine day What do you say to it, Miss Adey, my dear?"

"Only your son-in-law to be," said George. running in from the lawn. "Allow me to introduce Latimer Fanshawe, Esq., nephew and heir of Sir Robert Fanshawe, of Holles Park, and bridegroom-elect of the lovely and accomplished Miss Adeline Turner, &c., &c."

soon !"

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