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 that felicity which she deserves and I wish her;—blessed—thrice blessed, shall I consider the wealth consecrated to such a purpose."

She stopt, overcome by her own energy; Madeline was many minutes before she could speak; but she took the hand of her benefactress, she pressed it to her quivering lip, her heaving heart, and dropped upon it tears of gratitude, affection, and esteem.

"Oh, Madam! (she at length exclaimed) well might you bid me unbosom my heart to you as to a mother; sure, had I been blessed with one, I could not have experienced more tenderness; language is poor, is inadequate to express my feelings."

"Then do not attempt expressing them, (said the Countess, with her usual benignant smile) but let us resume our, to you to be sure, very uninteresting conversation. You say, to-morrow evening you promised to meet de Sevignie."