objections,—God only knows whether I have a child living or not—the doubt gives me a thousand pangs; as to the murder of the poor Chevalier, Peter only was a witness beside myself, and he is a creature of the Count's; then to accuse one's husband, what an indelible reproach! I never can submit to: it tell me, advise me, dear girl, what I must do?" "Impossible, madam, (replied she;) I am incompetent to advise,—your own good sense, and the opinion of your friends, are more capable of it than one so little conversant in the world as I am." "Well, (resumed the Countess) I will be guided by Lord Delby and Mrs. Courtney; my own relations are too warmly interested in my favor to give an impartial opinion:—but pray, my dear, what do you think of our Count, is not he a charming youth?"
A question so mal-a-propos, when poor Matilda's heart bore testimony to his merit, threw her into the greatest confusion, she was unable to speak.
The Countess observed her emotion, but was too delicate to notice it; she therefore added, "'Tis a needless question; I see your sentiments correspond with mine; but your spirits are low, child—in truth mine are not high, so let us seek for better company." She arose, and taking Matilda's passive hand, led her to the drawing-room, where the company was assembled.
Matilda could not see her benefactors without being visibly affected, which the Marchioness observing, "come, ladies, (said she) give me your votes, I am collecting them for a party to Windsor to-morrow." "O, doubtless you may command our's (replied the Countess;) novelty has always its charms for us females." "Very well, (said the Marquis) then it's a settled business."
The excursion to Windsor, and several other places, in the fortnight they staid at Mrs. Courtney's jumbled the Count and Matilda so frequently together, and he had so many opportunities of admiring her strong un-
