Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/106

 she had been accustomed, though she little thought the former was acquainted with her whole story.

In the evening came the Countess of Bouville and her family, with Madame de Nancy and her sister. After the first compliments, "Bless me! (cried Mademoiselle de Bancre) what in the world, ladies, have you done to Mademoiselle de Fontelle; I met her this morning, and pleading an engagement here as a reason for refusing her invitation, she flew into a violent rage, accused the Marchioness of treating her with rudeness unpardonable; and for Miss Weimar, she lavished such a torrent of abuse on her, that had I not known her fixed aversion to all handsome women, and a small predilection in favour of a certain person, whose attentions she is fearful of losing, I should have been at a loss to account for her acrimony." "If the lady has any dislike, or fears respecting me, (answered Matilda, with evident confusion) she does me great injustice; 'tis impossible I should ever injure her, or clash with any views she has formed." "There is no saying what her views may be, (said the Count) but I will venture to assert there can be no divided opinion concerning the merits of Miss Weimar and Mademoiselle de Fontelle; and the jealousy of a mean mind, when conscious of its defiencies, is natural enough." "Come, come, (said the Marchioness) no scandal, my good friends: we cannot be hurt by malice, any more than we can be gratified by undue praises at the expence of others."

The uncommon spirits of the Marquis and Marchioness attracted observation, as well as the dejection of Matilda, which she attributed to ill health. The Count and his sister sympathised with her, and the former was so agitated for the event of the following day, that he did not dare ask himself why he was so much interested.

Matilda rejoiced when the evening concluded and she could retire to herself: she was far from well; her anxiety in what manner she should answer Mr.