Volume V Part 41 (1/2)

Pauline's Story--I Ahter of the unfortunate Count X---- o, who concerned in the atte's life, in which the Jesuits were supposed to have had a hand I do not knohether uilty, but I do know that the tyrannical minister did not dare to have him tried, or to confiscate the estates, which reh I can only enjoy the to ht up in a convent where her sister was abbess I had all kinds of horn, who in six years taught ht proper for me to know He would answer any questions I chose to put hiious matters, but I must confess that his reservereat deal to forrandfather reladly stay there till I got married

I was fondly attached to my aunt, who did all in her power after et the double loss I had sustained My leaving the convent altered the whole course of my existence, and as it was not a voluntary action I have nothing to repent of

”My grandfather placed ave overness, a coh in overness, a well-born lady, as happily honest and trustworthy

”A year after I had left the convent overness that Count Fl---- had askedfrom Madrid end would arrive that day

”'What answer did you give hie would be acceptable to the whole of the nobility, and also to the king and royal fa count will like me and that I shall like the count?'

”'That, hter, is a matter of course, and there need be no discussion on the subject'

”'But it is a question in which I aly interested, and I should like to consider it very carefully We shall see how e the, but you must decide all the same'

”'I hope so, but let us not be too certain We shall see'

”As soon as overness that I had iven my heart, and that I should only marry a overness gave ive ht her best course would be to keep silence on such a delicate question This was as ht; at least I persuaded myself that it was so

”The next day I went to the convent, and told the story to my aunt, the abbess, who listened to me kindly and said it was to be hoped that I should fall in love with him and he with me, but that even if it were otherwise she was of opinion that thethat the scheme came from the Princess of Brazil, who favoured Count Fl----

”Though this inforlad to hear it, and my resolution never to ly confirht the count arrived, andin the co, but there was a deal of talk about the strange lands and peoples the new arrival had seen I listened with the greatest attention, not opening e of the world, so I could not make any comparisons between my suitor and other men, but my conclusion was that he could never hope to please any woman, and that he would certainly never bemanner, joked in bad taste, was stupid, and a devotee, or rather a fanatic Furtherreat a fop that he was not ashamed to relate the story of his conquests in France and Italy

”I went ho with all my heart that he had taken a dislike toon the subject confirmed reat-aunt askedrandfather, who foredday I made up my mind that I would rather die than marry him, and answered politely but coldly that I would na, but I should require time to think it over

The dinner went off silently, and I only opened my mouth to utter monosyllables in reply to questions which I could not avoid After the coffee had been served I left the house, taking no notice of anyone besides ain began to hope that I had effectually disgusted overness toldto speak to me in the ante-chamber I ordered him to be sent in He was the confessor of the Princess of Brazil, and after some desultory conversation he said the princess had sent hie with Count Fl----

”I did not evince any surprise, hness's kindness, but that nothing had been decided so far, as I was not thinking of getting married

”The priest, as a perfect courtier, smiled in a manner, half kindly, half sardonic, and said that I was at that happy age when I had no need to think of anything, asfor me

”I only answered by an incredulous smile, which, for all his irl's coyness

”Foreseeing the persecution to which I should be subjected, I went the next day to my aunt the abbess, who could not refuseI detested