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III.]
THE EUROPEANS.
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was, intrinsically, the most important person present. She was not unconscious that this impression was in some degree manifested in the little sympathetic nod with which she acknowledged Mr. Wentworth's announcement, "My cousin, Mr. Acton!"
"Your cousin—not mine?" said the Baroness.
"It only depends upon you," Mr. Acton declared, laughing.
The Baroness looked at him a moment, and noticed that he had very white teeth. "Let it depend upon your behaviour," she said. "I think I had better wait. I have cousins enough. Unless I can also claim relationship," she added, "with that charm-
