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 tess, with a smile) nevertheless I believe your sentiments in his favour are pretty decisive; and if my conjectures are right, what part am I to act, and how be expected to give a sanction to your union, which, in all probability, will part us for ever." "Never, my dear mother, (answered she, in a firm tone) never; no power on earth shall part us again; how great soever my affection for the Count may be, be assured my duty, my love for you will greatly over-balance it; and if the alternative must be to part with one, behold me ready to give him up, without the least degree of hesitation." "Now, my dear Matilda, (said the Countess, extremely moved by the firmness of her voice, and the expression in her eyes) now you have found the way to subdue me at once: you shall make no such sacrifices for me, my child; and I will think of some method to reconcile your duty and inclination to my wishes." Matilda kissed her mother's hand with the warmest affection, and some of their friends coming into the room precluded further conversation. She went in search of the Marchioness. She was told that lady was in the garden, and thither she repaired, when, coming to an alcove, she saw her seated in earnest conversation with the Count De Bouville. She would have turned back, but the Count ran, caught her hand, and led her to the Marchioness. "I am rejoiced to see you, (said she) my dear child; do, pray, take this troublesome young man off my hands, for I declare he has been making downright love to me." "Who, I?" (said the Count.) "Yes, (answered she) you know you have—as a proxy; and, as I am quite tired of being only a substitute, I leave Matilda to supply my place for the present." She got up and walked away, Matilda being too much confused to have the resolution to prevent her.

The Count seized this moment to know his doom. He besought her attention for a few moments: briefly ran over the affair between Mrs. Courtney and him,