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 discharged; and ever since, that poor woman and I (pointing to the servant), have led the most solitary life imaginable, just like two poor lonely hermits." (Madeline could not forbear smiling at those words; very like hermits indeed, thought she, as she cast her eyes over the table, which was covered with delicacies.)—"Just like two poor lonely hermits, fasting and praying," said Madame Fleury, with a deep sigh.

It may easily be supposed that Madeline soon grew tired of conversation of this kind; her timid heart shrunk from the attentions of Madame Fleury, instead of expanding to receive them; yet she condemned the strong prejudice which she had conceived against her.—"I will try to conquer it (said she to herself), because it is unjust—unjust to dislike a person merely because they have been cast in one of the rough moulds of Nature, and their manners, in consequence of the difference of education, are unlike mine."