you any further commands?" The lady replying in the negative, he made his bow and retired.
"That man is a faithful good creature, I owe my life to him; I know nothing of his wife, though I am told she is a very worthy woman; but as a secret should never, if possible, be trusted to chance or accident, I made him swear not to reveal mine, without permission from me." Matilda expressed her satisfaction that the lady had such a faithful servant, and taking a book from the table, requested she would open her letter.
This being complied with, she presently exclaimed, "Alas! my brother and sister are going within a month to England, perhaps to stay some time; yet why should I grieve at that, they cannot come to me." Then reading on, she again cried out, "My dear Miss Weimer, if you will accept of my sister's protection, it is now at your service: hear what she says, after expressing her regret that I cannot be of her party, "I wish I could meet with some amiable female companion, to take the tour of England with me, there are so few of one's acquaintance that are desirable as intimate friends, that nothing can be more difficult than to obtain such a one as I am anxious to have: young ones we cannot meet with, and I cannot bear the idea of being plagued with the ridiculous fopperies of an old coquet; for I am not yet so much of a French woman as to think there is no difference in ages, and that a fine dressed and high coloured lady, though near to her grand climacteric, shall be indulged in all the expectations of youth and beauty." "Now, my dear Miss, you are exactly the lady that will suit my sister; it is not proper, at your age that you should be buried here, otherwise it would be the greatest felicity in the world for me to enjoy your conversation." "I certainly, madam, (answered Matilda) should think myself most fortunate in attending the Marchioness, but indeed my finances are so slender, and the necessaries I have
