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 of mine, that every hope relative to him is over; and I will not undeceive him, except I can do so with pleasure to him and myself."

They soon after this separated for the night; but not to rest did Madeline retire to her chamber: joy is often as wakeful as sorrow; and joy of the most rapturous kind she now experienced; alternately she traversed her apartment, alternately seated herself to repeat all that had past between her and the Countess, to ruminate over her felicity; felicity which now appeared insured; for that de Sevignie could give such an explanation as would rather raise than lessen him in the estimation of her friend, she did not harbour the smallest doubt of.

So sanguine is the youthful heart—so ready to believe that what it wishes will happen. Alas, how doubly sharp does this readiness render the barb of disappointment.