10
It is said that this woman has an independent fortune, and that Alice’s father gave her an authority over his daughter, at least equal to that of Marcel. Her large fortune, her superior understanding, her placid and firm temper, causes Marcel to submit in every thing to her so implieitly-that he appears more like a prineipal domestic, than her relation and guardian. Mareel extends his unaceountable deference even to Donna Vittoria, her governess, who resides with her, and was never known to dispute with her the authority whieh she holds over her pupil. The extreme attention he pays her, is the more extraordinary, as there is nothing prepossessing in this woman; she is still rather handsome, but silent, reserved, and observing. Donna Vittoria possesses the entire eonfidenee of Alice, direets her in every thing, and encourages her haughtiness and caprice. The eceentrieity of Aliee has been greatly encreased by two years residenee at the eonyent of Fontevraux, where she finished her edueation. Since her return, she will scareely deign to speak to any one; and it was with extreme difficulty, that Marcel prevailed on her to accompany him to the fete, where you saw her."
Scareely had Vaudois ceased speaking, when a sudden noise was heard. They listened; it was a violent knocking at the provost’s outer gate, and in the midst of the eonfusion of a thousand tumultuous voiees, the cry of "Marcel! Mareel!" eould be distinguished; and the name of the King of Navarre was as often repeated. Astonished at this commotion of the populaee, whieh was not of his creating, and fearing to lose the fruits of it if he were not present to direet,—yet not chusing that Marcel should surprise him, in the middle of the night, shut up disguised in his secretary’s chamber,
