vice, and suffer tenfold the miseries they inflict, from the apprehensions of a discovery, which they know seldom fails at some time or other to overtake them, and Providence has so ordered it, that we generally see the very means they take to hide their crimes from a knowledge of the world, are productive of such events as lead to their detection. I sincerely lament the fate of the poor Chevalier———"
"Ah, sister (cried the Countess) never shall I cease reproaching myself on that account; had I with firmness refused to receive his second letter, and avoided going to that room alone, perhaps his life, and all my subsequent miseries would have been spared: I failed in the duty I owed my husband and myself, in permitting a clandestine correspondence, although I did not intend to continue it; and one false step, you see, brought on irreparable evils and eternal remorse!"
"I will not pretend, my dear Victoria, (answered the Marchioness) to exculpate you, as entirely free from blame, but if we consider the ill-treatment you received from the Count; previous to the Chevalier's attempts to see you, and the sudden surprise of the moment, when the first letter was conveyed to you, doubtless some allowance ought to be made in your favour: and had you positively refused to receive a second, you would, 'tis possible, have escaped much bitter reflection; but the worst that can be said of you, in my opinion is, that, in your difficult and unpleasant situation, it was an error in judgment, for I am well assured in you there was no depravity of heart."
The poor Countess was drowned in tears. "Be comforted, my dearest sister, (said the Marquis, kissing her hand, whilst the ladies tenderly embraced her) you are, thank Heaven, and that good lady, restored to your friends; I will consult Dr. Demouriez, as to our future proceedings, for I will do nothing rashly, and for your sake, would avoid dragging your husband's crimes into public view."
