alleys, sometimes seated on the rich carpet of nature, near this magnificent basin, which reflected the tranquil rays of the moon, I enjoyed with my young friend the pleasures of social conversation. She seasoned the sallies of her wit with those sentimental effusions, which at the same time that they excite the thrill, and moisten the eye, leave a smile on the lips. The calm of night, the savoury perfume of the flowers, which the breath of zephyrs spread around, the murmur of the water, the rustling of the foliage, the age of my lovely confident, and mine, induced us by degrees to reflect on the situation of our hearts. Hers had sighed and still sighed for an object, whom she dared not name; mine knew nothing of love but its name, and until then had only yielded to friendship.

One day, or rather one night, I wandered slowly with viscountess Nathalia, the name of my companion, towards a tuft of shrubs, whose leaves were thick, and formed a verdant vault, but whose trunks were distant from each other, and resembled columns surrounded with garlands of honeysuckles, and gave admittance to some of the rays of the moon emerging

from the clouds, so that we could extend our view over the collateral walks, and even discern the carpet of turf, which borders the basin. Our conversation, in which my friend frequently introduced the name of count d'Artois, led us to mention his return, which was daily expected. She presumed, that his voyages, useful under every consideration, must have alike de veloped his physical qualities, and improved his mind. I was of her opinion, which is supported by the best informed writers on education, and my own experience'; nothing is more calculated to eradicate the vices of a young man, nothing will give a fairer opportunity for the display of his virtues, than voyages.

We were conversing thus, when we discovered on our right a military man of an elegant form coming towards us with an easy step. If the count were in Paris, said Nathalia, I should believe that it is himself. Without attending to formality any more than usual, whether curiosity or coquetry determined me, I desir ed to be left alone; the viscountess retired under a neighbouring grove.

The unknown person advanced immediately. By the light of the moon, I soon observed that he was young, handsome, and well made; the most reserved woman never fails to observe these things first. His lively and witty conversation shewed him possessed of intelligence and fancy; and the purity of his language, the choice of his words, and that turn of expression peculiar to the great, madé me conclude, that he joined to the advantages of birth, those of a distinguished education. All those circumstances, I confess it, pleased me infinitely. It seems that I, at first, had not made so favourable an impression upon him. Indeed finding me alone at this hour and in this place, as I had nothing in my dress, that bespoke my rank, but on the contrary was concealed under the most simple undress, he could not very easily suppose who I was. Therefore, although his first salutation and address had been very polite, by degrees he indulged in the common chat of gallantry, and permitted himself at last expressions, to which I could no longer listen with propriety. Then I repented my imprudence,

which had compelled me to hear them. This new language, which for the first time was addressed to me, restored my natural pride; dispelling partially, if I may so express it, the cloud, which concealed me, I silenced my military man, checked his temerity, and returned to the viscountess.

Full of the agitation, which the stranger had excited, I did not endeavour to conceal it from my friend.

I

gave her a full account of my encounter, I spoke with warmth, and dwelt sometime on the subject; so that through an inexplicable secret sensation, expressions of feeling were eventually mingled with those of offended pride, and that after an hour of conversation, I dwelt less on my adventure to complain of it, than to enjoy the recollection.

Nathalia, whose heart was not under the same impression, viewed it consequently more coolly, and judged rightly of it. Nathalia discovered the differ ence of my language. The intimacy which reigned between us, led her to make some observations on the state of my mind. A barbed arrow plunged in my heart would have wounded me less. Thanks to

VOL. II.

obscurity, I was enabled to conceal my embarrassment, but my soul was violently agitated. How vivid was the glow on my cheek! pride, spite, and rage, shall I own it, a more tender sentiment, fermented at once in my bosom. I retired dissatisfied with Nathalia, with my adventure, and with myself, and I returned to seek, under my gilded roof, a repose which began to forsake my eyelids.

In

Alas! it was but too true, yes I had lost my peace of mind during that fatal night. That which followed did not restore it, and augmented my torments. spite of myself I still wandered through the groves of the park; I heard the voice of the unknown man, my ear listened to his words, not those, which had offended me, but those allowed by decorum, and to which modesty can lend an ear. A prestige, against which I struggled in vain, recalled before my eyes this countenance, which mingled pride with the most moving sweetness of disposition; I felt the breath of a gentle breeze, or rather guessed at it by the undulation of the stranger's flaxen locks, ornamenting his head respectfully uncovered. And, when the recol