idea of the count's connexion with the dutchess, her subtile mind would doubtless have furnished her with some means or other to get rid of, her, troublesome visitor. But she now thought that my friend, so far from being displeased, would rejoice at the opportunity of finding another handsome woman of the party and at her table.
I did not know,what to do to get out of my hiding-place. The windows of the alcove being shut, locked and barred, it was impossible to make my escape without alarming the ladies in the outer apartment, nor was there any, other outlet or door from it through which I might have got out, to meet the count, and intercept him on his passage. Nothing could be more certain than that her grace had obtained information of the footing on which he lived with Chlorinda, and she was purposely come to convince herself of it. I was not less certain, that should he be discovered she would set all the engines of female vengeance at work to punish his infidelity. I resolved, therefore, to try every thing before such a discovery could take
