the disgrace and insults which would attend the Count, from her want of birth, however great her merit: unjust as I know those prejudices are, yet I confess it would have given me pain, had she acted otherwise. I applaud, I admire, I love her more than ever, but I do not wish to see her the Count's wife, unless those bars could be removed, which now appear next to an impossibility." "No! (cried the Marchioness, briskly) no! I will not believe merit like Matilda's is born to wither in the shade; I will hope to see her one day in a conspicuous point of view, that may reflect honor on all who are connected with her, either by blood or friendship."
"You are romantic, my dear madam (said Mrs Courtney, with a smile;) but suppose we go to your young favorite, and see how the poor thing does after her heroics."
This was said with so little feeling, that the Marchioness was surprised; and a sudden idea darting into the mind of the Marquis, he could
