himself into a chair, without speaking. The Countess had followed Matilda.
"This is really (said Mrs. Courtney) the most extraordinary young woman I ever met with; I wonder not at your attachment, my dear Count, but after this public declaration, you have nothing to hope for: imitate her example of fortitude and self-denial, and suffer not your mind to be depressed, when it is necessary you should exert man's boasted superiority of reason and firmness." The Count replied not.
The Marchioness looked with a little surprise at Mrs. Courtney, who she thought appeared less affected than she ought for her young friend.
Lord Delby was warm in her praise, and offered to be her escort to Boulogne, as he thought it highly improper she should be accompanied by servants only.
This offer was thankfully accepted by the Marchioness. "She has absolutely prohibited the Marquis and myself (said she) but I hope will make no objections to the honor you intend her."
The Count, making a slight apology, withdrew, and every one joined in pitying the necessity for a separation of two persons so worthy of each other. "Was fortune the only obstacle her delicacy could raise, (said the Marquis) there are those who would rejoice to remove it; but when we consider the particular disadvantages of her situation—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, 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
