Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/199

 my situation, and, at the expiration of the time allowed to consider, I gave my decided choice of a monastic life, and took the veil. I hear often from my generous friends. Two of my sisters are well married; the rest of my family have every prospect of success.

"Now, my dear young lady, I have related my history, tell me candidly, have your troubles ever equalled mine." "Oh! no, (cried Matilda;) I am ashamed of my own impatience and inquietude. Good heavens! if such are the evils to be expected in life; if misfortunes are so frequent, ingratitude and malignancy so prevalent, men so abandoned, and the good and benevolent allotted so small a share in the proportion of the world, the only asylum for the unfortunate is a convent." "Not always, (answered mother Magdalene;) there are situations and difficulties in life, from which even the unfortunate may extract hope and comfort; your's is such: 'tis possible you have parents still living, who may one day fold you to their bosoms; 'tis likewise not impossible you may one day be united to the man you prefer. In short, your situation is not hopeless, like mine: I saw the downfall of every expectation I could form, and had no one hope or engagement to the world; you have many: you have no right to dispose of your future destiny, whilst there is the least probable chance you may be reclaimed. Reside here as a boarder, my dear child; but under your doubtful circumstancscircumstances [sic], never take the veil, for the mind should be entirely disengaged from all worldly hopes, before it can renounce it properly."

From this day Matilda grew entirely resigned; she derived wisdom and comfort from her good mother's conversation, nor suffered anticipation of evils to disturb her serenity.

The Scarborough party were now arrived in London. The Marquis immediately waited on the ambassador. His excellency told him the Count Wol-