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 saying so before the Countess. De Sevignie, however, had followed her; he therefore, on perceiving her situation, stepped forward, and asserted his prior right to her hand. "Is this the case, Mam'selle?" asked the other. She replied in the affirmative: and expressing his regret at his late application, he retired.

The dancing soon commenced again; and Madeline, notwithstanding her diffidence, had too much real taste not to acquit herself with elegance; the harmonious symmetry of her form, the charms of her face, heightened by the glow of modesty, and the grace and animation of every movement, excited universal admiration; and all who had not before seen, were anxious to learn who she was. When the cotillion was over, the Countess contrived to have her seated by herself, and thus precluded all further conversation of an interesting nature between her and de Sevignie: he still remained, however, near his lovely partner, and by his