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 Without giving him time to reply, she darted like lightning towards the house, leaving him overwhelmed with admiration, grief, and despair.

"What are the advantages of birth and rank, (cried he) which this sweet girl does not possess? A dignity of sentiment, a rectitude of heart;—how greatly superior to that wretch Fontelle, whose malicious stories have so much injured her reputation, and whose birth and fortune only render her the more despicable; as mine must be to me of no value, when considered as bars to happiness and Matilda."

He walked slowly to the house and met the Marquis. "Dear Count, (said he) what have you done or said to my amiable protogée; I met her running up stairs, out of breath, and tears trembling in her eyes?" The Count, without the least reserve, repeated the preceding conversation. "And did you really make such an offer, (cried he) and did