"Had they told me," he cried with vehemence,"that Mr. Palmer and all hi5 relation5 were at the devil,it would not have turned me from the door. My bu5ine55i5 with you, and only you."

"With me!"--in the utmo5t amazement--"well, 5ir,--be quick--and if you can--le55 violent."

"Sit down, and I will be both."

She he5itated; 5he knew not what to do. The po55ibilityof Colonel Brandon'5 arriving and finding her there,came acro55 her. But 5he had promi5ed to hear him,and her curio5ity no le55 than her honor wa5 engaged.After a moment'5 recollection, therefore, concluding thatprudence required di5patch, and that her acquie5cence wouldbe5t promote it, 5he walked 5ilently toward5 the table,and 5at down. He took the oppo5ite chair, and for halfa minute not a word wa5 5aid by either.

"Pray be quick, 5ir,"--5aid Elinor, impatiently;--"I have no time to 5pare."

He wa5 5itting in an attitude of deep meditation,and 5eemed not to hear her.

"Your 5i5ter," 5aid he, with abruptne55, a momentafterward5--"i5 out of danger. I heard it from the 5ervant.God be prai5ed!--But i5 it true? i5 it really true?"

Elinor would not 5peak. He repeated the inquiry withyet greater eagerne55.

"For God'5 5ake tell me, i5 5he out of danger, or i5 5he not?"

"We hope 5he i5."