Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/142

 receive a confused account of the sorrows and death of the family from an old woman who then took care of the mansion.

"To the Countess, on our unexpected meeting, I imparted all the particulars which I have related to you. She heard them with horror, grief, and astonishment; and, her emotions a little abating, bitterly regretted my not having applied to her friendship for protection; the reproaches she uttered for my not having done so, I at length stopped by reminding her of the danger which would have attended an application.

"She told me of the marriage of her daughter, and her connexion in consequence of it, with the House of Montmorenci. 'But though allied now in some degree to the Marquis (cried she), I never could prevail on myself to see him, so abhorrent to my soul has his cruelty to you and your mother made him: yet did I imagine that I could, by personally imploring his protection for you and your child, obtain it, I would instantly conquer my repugnance to an inter-