will be seen in the sequel of this history, whether I was wrong in taking advantage of it, or not.

The time for sitting down to dinner being arrived, Zelia, having been charged by her father with the task of doing the honours of the table, appointed to every one the place which she had destined for him. In shewing me mine, she cast at me a look of indescribable expression and tenderness; but which, nevertheless, did not at all change the plan I had proposed to follow. After she had directed all the company to their seats, she took her own at the right of her father, who was almost opposite to me. Thus situated, I determined to observe very particularly the manner in which she received the homage of her admirers---and trembling with the apprehension of her preferring any one of them, I waited the moment when her father would call upon her for an explanation respecting them.

The education I had received---the fruits I had collected from my reading--. had given me a certain knowledge of the human heart, that pretty nearly equalled what is acquired in the world, and supplied the deficiencies of experience. Following me step by step in the new career on which my relation is now to enter, the reader will be convinced of the truth of this observation.

CHAPTER VIII.

New hopes-Zelia refuses to marry-The love of Linval-Sans-Chagrin resumes his history.

There

PLACED, as I have said in the last chapter, directly opposite to Zelia, I had an opportunity of discerning the effects which the presence and the discourses of her suitors produced upon her. were seven of them, all of whom were morally, as well as physically, formed to please. The bewitching smile, and the little salute with which she gratified each in his turn, could not fail to puzzle, when it appeared to me that after having flatter. ed them in that manner, her looks were still directed towards me. This remark, which I had occasion to make frequently

afterwards, determined me not to dwell upon her an instant, and on the contrary, emboldened me to address some very flattering expressions to a very lovely young lady who sat on my right.

This manœuvre, which did not savour very much of the novice, produced its effect upon the feelings of Zelia, for it quickly appeared clear to me that, upon the slightest occasion, she addressed her discourse to my handsome neighbour. This last, to whom I uttered nothing more than little common-place remarks and agreeable expressions, relished them very well, and therefore gave very laconic answers to the observations of Zelia, whose efforts to repress our conversation did not escape my neighbour, and spread over Zelia's own lovely face a cast of seriousness from which I augured well.

As I never looked at her but by stealth and at moments when her eyes were not directed towards me, I had the advantage

of studying her without giving her any hold over me. The conversation being pretty general was of course desultory, and allowed me greater liberty to exhibit my pretended indifference. Two or three expressions, which were thought to be very witty, and which I had the happiness to apply rather luckily in answering one of my rivals, drew upon me the attention of the company and the plaudits of the good Franville. Zelia, who was not at all backward to declare herself of her father's opinion, filled up the measure of the secret happiness I enjoyed.

But while I was thus intoxicated with the most delightful hopes, the moment when Zelia was to declare herself to her suitors approached, andthe dessert was but just served up, when her father addressed her in these words :---" My daughter, those seven gentlemen you see here have all formed the same "views. They all possess the means to "render any lady happy...and they have