Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/97

 have rest to-night." "If I am desirous, (replied poor Matilda,) is there any thing I more sincerely wish than happiness to you and your amiable brother?" "Well then, (answered Adelaide) you must make haste to be well." "You are very obliging, (returned Matilda:) I am much better, and should be very ungrateful to my friends if I did not exert myself against trifling indispositions."

Adelaide surveyed her with admiration and compassion, her generosity felt an increase of affection from the knowledge of her misfortunes, though she was cautious not to drop a word that might give the other any suspicion that she was acquainted with them.

They parted at night with mutual reluctance, and Matilda endeavoured to compose her spirits for the dreaded interview that was to take place the following day.

When the Marchioness entered her apartment next morning she found her dressing, and much better, which gave her great satisfaction: she encouraged and applauded the resolution she had assumed; but when the time came, and the name of Mr. Weimar was brought in, she could scarcely keep from fainting. The Marchioness retired to the closet, and he entered; Matilda rose to receive him, he hastily advanced and embraced her, "My dearest child, I rejoice to see you, cruelly as you have used me, miserable as I have been from apprehensions of your safety, I am happy to see you under such respectable protection." He seated her and himself. "The Marquis De Melfort, (said he) has explained to me the cause of your absenting yourself from my house, therefore I am neither surprised nor angry; but surely you acted precipitantly, and on very slight grounds, the conversation you only partially heard and little understood." "I heard enough, Sir, (said Matilda, with some spirit) to inform me I was not in safety in a house with a woman of Agatha's principles." "You