ed; but I do not approve your ideas of female inconstancy.'

"I judge from observation,' replied my son.

'The

time was, when I should have said that nothing on earth could have separated you from Florence de Castres: but' and he smiled; then turning to a mirror, busied himself in arranging his cravat.

"Bertram had always been my favourite child, and, as I knew that I should be dependent on him in the event of his father's death, I had always made it my object to secure his affection to myself: for my selfishness was at that time excessive; and if this feeling does not now operate so powerfully with me, it is to be attributed to the efficacy of grace, by which I have been led to feel and lament the sinfulness of my nature, and to desire above all things that I may never again be left to my own propensities.

"By the suggestions and importunities of Bertram, we were soon involved in all the gaieties of our great capital, through which we conducted our lovely Agnace as a lamb prepared for sacrifice, and adorned with garlands of flowers.

"As Bertram had foreseen, she was soon sought in marriage by several persons of superior rank; among whom was one who, from his distinguished birth, superior fortune, and estimation at court, was precisely the son-in-law which an ambitious mother might desire.

who, not

"This gentleman was the Marquis de Cwithstanding the little encouragement she gave him, was so fixed in his attachment to my daughter, that he held out every possible inducement to me and my son, to ensure his success.

"Not one of these suitors of Agnace had the least chance with her father, for he dashed their hopes at once by stating that his daughter was already engaged to another. But, unfortunately for my endeared Agnace and all connected with her, when we had been in Paris little more than two months, he was obliged to leave us; and then my son contrived to renew the hopes of the Marquis de C, a thing which there is no difficulty in doing when the heart of a lover is truly devoted. And who, that was capable of estimating character, could avoid

preferring my Agnace to those flimsy persons with which the gay world abounds? for she was a true Christian, and had all the gentleness, modesty, courtesy, and simplicity of that character.

"But I should have said that, long before this time, we had heard of the death of the miserable Florence: and what affected me inore deeply than the death of this poor creature, whose tyranny I had long suffered with much impatience, was, that my sister had attended her to the very last, and had endured with unwearied patience all the loathsome circumstances attendant on this disease, wholly separating herself from her young family, lest she should convey any kind of contagion from the chamber of disease; and that she had availed herself of every interval of reason to bring this unhappy woman to a knowledge of her Saviour and to true repentance.

"It might have been expected that the knowledge of this truly Christian conduct of my sister would have made me ashamed of my evil feelings respecting her: but, alas! by giving me another cause for admiration, it increased my hatred of her; especially when I considered that it was more than probable that Florence had, either in delirium, or in seasons of repentance, laid open to her the subjects of our former conversations, which I was most anxious she should not know. But one month, or more, had passed since I had heard of the death of Florence, and my mind was then too full of ambitious prospects for my children, and schemes of hatred and revenge, to permit me to feel the event as I have since done.

"Things were in this state, the marquis still absent, and my son using every means in his power to promote the suit of the Marquis de C with his sister, when, one morning, as I was sitting alone, my children having rode out together towards the Bois de Boulogne, my nephew Charles de Perouse unexpectedly arrived. He appeared to be in violent agitation, although it was evident that he endeavoured to restrain himself and to accost me with some appearance of cordiality.

"What! Charles de Perouse!' I exclaimed, and at Paris!'

"Yes, Madame,' he replied; 'I am come to Paris with my sister Rosamond, who is lately become the wife of the

Baron de Montauban, and we lodge at a very little distance from hence.'

“Indeed,' I said, with great coolness, 'I did not expect that this marriage would take place so soon.'

"And where, Madame,' said he, is Mademoiselle de Roquefort?' And he looked round him impatiently. Might I not be permitted to see her?'

"She is not within,' I replied, still preserving a perfect indifference.

"My indifference seemed to irritate the young man more than any manner I could have possibly adopted; and, in consequence, after various struggles with himself, his feelings appeared quite to overcome him, and he caused me to understand that he was fully acquainted with the measures I was taking to separate him for ever from his beloved Agnace. The deep groans which he uttered would have melted any heart but mine; he even shed tears while he assured me that his soul was bound up in his Agnace, and he offered to take her without the smallest fortune. 'O my aunt!' he said, 'give me but my Agnace!—my Agnace, whom I have loved from my tenderest infancy -and loved without a rival-yea,' he added, and must love till death!'

"And well,' I answered, well you may love her. Do you count it a merit to have selected the most lovely young woman in France, and one who is your superior in rank, and entitled to a noble dowry?'

"Oh, aunt!' he replied; and this from you!'

"Yes,' I said; and now, since the time is come for speaking the truth, permit me to say that I have always thought you presumptuous in aspiring to my daughter, and only regret that I have allowed so long a time to pass without making you acquainted with my opinion on this subject.'

"I scarcely know what answer the comte made to this speech, for he was driven beyond the bounds of prudence; and he, undoubtedly, not only used some very harsh expressions, but insinuated that he had heard me spoken of as I then appeared, but had ever before believed that I had been misrepresented.

BLIOTHE

"Misrepresented, Charles! and by whom?'

"It matters not,' he replied; sacred be the memory

of the dead! But Oh, my Agnace!' he added, striking his hand on his forehead, 'I cannot, will not part with my Agnace. May I hope, Madame, that you will tell her I have been here, and that I live only for her?'

"And that you came only to insult her mother?' I replied. But depend upon it, De Perouse, you would do well to give up all thoughts of my daughter, for she has now another connexion in view, and one much more suitable than that which you propose.'

"""Tis false, Madam!' he replied, almost in a frenzy of despair.

666 'Very well, Sir,' I answered; 'what more can you add after this? Since you cannot behave with the respect due to your aunt, you must permit me to say that I can no longer acknowledge you as a nephew.' I then walked out of the room into an adjoining apartment, where, as I stood at a large window which opened into the street, I saw the injured young man leaving the court; and, within a quarter of an hour afterwards, I saw my daughter with her brother and the Marquis de C. enter.

"I had been considering what measures I should take to prevent the renewal of the intercourse between Agnace and Charles, and was still unable to determine on what should be done, when the young people came in. My children instantly perceived that I had been agitated, and Bertram asked the occasion, but I waved a reply; and as the marquis had been invited to dinner, and the hour was at hand, I sat down to converse with the young gentlemen while Agnace changed her dress. I expressed a hope that they had enjoyed a pleasant excursion.

"The day was fine and the prospects beautiful,' replied the marquis; but your sweet daughter, Madame, had a cloud on her brow: she seemed to be offended at my joining the party, and plainly told me that I might spare all trouble on her account, as she considered herself as not being at liberty to bestow her hand on any man but the one chosen by her father.'

"Upon my word,' I said, in high displeasure against Agnace, she treated you with some freedom!'

"She did so,' replied the marquis; and I only wish I could cease to think of her.'

"But I trust,' I said, that you will not give her up.

1

Her obstinacy shall be overcome: the young man to whom she is attached is unworthy of her; his mother has used me ill, and he has treated me with the greatest indignity.' I would have added more, but the entrance of Agnace compelled us to change the subject.

"Agnace appeared perfectly composed during dinner; and when the marquis addressed her, answered with ease, supposing, no doubt, that she had entirely put an end to his expectations respecting her: but Bertram appeared flushed and angry, and, while forcing himself to appear easy, drank a much larger portion of wine than usual.

"About eight o'clock the marquis took his leave; and we were no sooner left by ourselves than Bertram broke out, and, though in my presence and his sister's, uttered some of those imprecations, which are too often in the mouths of fashionable young men, on his aunt and her whole family; adding, 'I am sure from your manner, Madam, that some disagreeable circumstances have arisen from this quarter since the morning.'

"You have conjectured truly,' I replied; and then gave him the account of Charles's visit, exaggerating to the utmost all that had been rash and unadvised in the conduct of the young man, and adding, that his mother had made use of her opportunities with Florence de Castres to obtain a knowledge of every secret of my heart.

"As I proceeded, Bertram became more and more inflamed, and gave utterance to his passion by more awful expressions, while Agnace implored me with tears to refrain from further mention of these subjects.

"And De Perouse insulted you!' said Bertram, 'and his mean mother has basely obtained the knowledge of your secrets! By Heaven!' and he added other and more daring oaths, I will make the man who can insult a lady to feel that he is not to do so with impunity!' So saying, he started from his seat, but, Agnace, quick as thought, had seized his arm, and was imploring him to have patience, to take a moment for reflection, and to hear what she had to say. He shook off her hand, and called her low-minded and base: but she, falling on her knees, clasped her arms around him, and would have drawn him down to his seat. 'Hear me !-only hear me, Bertram! 'tis of no use that you attempt to interfere between me and Charles