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ETHEL CHURCHILL.
213

the actress, "how he would have grieved over this! Well, the grave often saves us a world of trouble!"

"I stand amazed now," continued Walter, "at my own recklessness in writing them; but I am so accustomed to invent an existence, that I forget the consequence in the interest of the composition. Ah, I see that there is no wickedness so desperate as deception: we can never foresee its consequences!"

"You shall have the letters," said Lavinia, beginning to put them together: "I shall tell Sir George that I sent them to their right owner in a fit of jealousy, and he will only be flattered!"

"My dear Lavinia," said Walter, "I thank you most cordially; you know not the weight you have taken off my conscience; as to Sir George, I shall see him myself when I return from Lady Marchmont's."

So saying, he took the letters; and, again thanking her, hurried away.

"I do pity her!" exclaimed Lavinia, as