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 true (said he, smiling) but my love ladies have various ways of concealing their age, and the depredations of time; besides, vanity never forsakes them; and to do Mrs Courtney justice, she is an agreeable woman." "Yes, and a sensible woman (returned she;) I never can suppose her guilty of such a weakness; I rather think her prejudiced against Matilda, by some falsehoods or other." "Very well, (replied the Marquis) be it so: I am always more gratified by your favorable opinion of your own sex, than a readiness to condemn them; the one shows a generous mind, free from guile itself—the other, a malignant spirit, desirous of acquiring merit from the deficiencies of others." "But, pray (said the Marchioness) how will you account to Mr Weimar for the retirement of Matilda, should he hear of it, and apply to you?" "By the simplest truth (replied he) except what relates to Bouville. He must thank himself for all the stories Mademoiselle De Fontelle has repeated to her disadvantage, and from whence originated her sudden determination. She is now safe; the