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 would always, except (continued Floretta, whose passion for telling secrets was equal to her passion for hearing them), except with a little hesitation, to such a friend as you are to her."

Highly as the curiosity of Madeline was raised, she instantly recoiled from the idea of learning the Countess's private affairs through the channel of a servant.

"No, Floretta (said she), except from the Countess, I can never hearken to such secrets as you would impart; had she wished me to know them, she would have communicated them herself. Had I been surprised into listening to them, I should have blushed tomorrow when I beheld her face, from the consciousness of having acted meanly and basely towards her; and so would you I am confident, at the idea of having violated your promise, and betrayed what should be ever sacred to you, the confidence of your Protectress and friend."