gifts of my age, and the little fruits of "the education that was given me;--judge, I say, whether I should pretend 66 66 to match myself with that divine but dangerous object of which I speak." "You are too modest, Monsieur Laurentini if she with whom you dispute your heart has really all the virtues "which you ascribe to her, and you would "make me your confidant, I would take upon myself to render her favourable... if, all this time, it really was not she "who sat at table, by your side." "No, Mademoiselle---it was not at my "side she sat." "Yes, Monsieur Laurentini--- and you "shall not know mine. This, Monsieur "Laurentini---this will teach you to push "discretion so far." On saying these last words, she rose, said that we might be surprised together, and it would be prudent to separate. She then saluted me, casting upon me a heavenly smile, and regained the house, not without recommending it to me not to speak a word to any one of our interview. I followed her with my eyes as long as it was possible; and when she was out of my sight, I enjoyed in imagination the pleasure I had tasted. A little portion of bitterness mixed itself with the pleasure when I reflected upon her words "I know your secret, and you shall not know "mine." After having interpreted those words in a thousand different ways, I concluded that she had divined my love, and that she meant to take advantage of that discovery to torment me, and treat me as she had treated my rivals. Struck with this idea, I determined to ward off her blows by a stratagem which would reduce herself to the greatest perplexity. Having completely arranged my new project, I returned slowly to the house. I found them all up. Franville told me that he had been looking for me in my chamber, and waited to present me, as well as Linval, to a worthy friend of his, who had just arrived. "His name," "said he, "is Bontems. He says that he "has resided for some time in your coun66 try. Your name seemed to strike him very singularly; and, briefly, he desires "to see you." 66 The desire to appear advantageously. before this stranger, and above all, before Zelia, induced me to request time of Franville to adjust my dress, which was slovenly and negligent. He granted it, and I flew to my chamber, where, with the assistance of Sans-Chagrin and Linval, I was soon in a condition to appear before the most elegant society. We all three descended to the saloon, where I was expected. Zelia was there, and in the elegant undress which she wore at our interview. The air of satisfaction and gaiety which spread itself over her beautiful countenance, and the affable and almost confidential manner with which she returned my salute on entering, imparted to me the most lively pleasure, and enabled me to present myself more freely and with a better grace before Mr. BoNTEMS. Franville had scarcely informed him that I was the young Laurentini of whom he had spoken, than that man, whom I could not recollect to have ever seen before, struck at first with an astonishment which held him in a state of stupefaction, afterwards threw himself into my arms, overwhelming me with the most tender and endearing appellations. prised, as were all the rest of the company, at this very affectionate reception, I disengaged myself from his arms, and Sur |