and rented this Solitary Mansion of Count M———, having only one domestic with him. That a few days after Ferdinand's residence with him he was seized with an apoplectic fit, which deprived him of life, in consequence of which Ferdinand had sent off expresses to his estate, and to Count M———, whose abode he had been informed of by the Baron. This story, corroborated by Francis, he presumed to think, would effectually satisfy any curious persons, if such there were, who felt any concern about the deceased, and the Lady Eugenia might enter into the Convent as his widow, or not as she pleased."
This arrangement was immediately adopted, except that Eugenia utterly disclaimed an intention of assuming a name to which she had no right, and which indeed was odious to her, and as her marriage with Count M——— was a secret to all but the present party, she had determined to take upon herself the name of Madam of Valse, which
