which she had before occupied, she found a neat but simple supper already laid out by her active hostess, who with unceasing loquacity dwelt on the sufferings of monseigneur the count, his anxiety about mademoiselle his daughter, the excellence of her own cream cheese, the low state of the markets, the honour conferred on her humble dwelling by the residence of such illustrious guests, and the hatred, envy, and malice, it would excite in her less for tunate neighbours; and Imogen was already deep in the domestic politics of the village, when the chevalier joined her. As soon as supper was served, the attendants and hostess were dismissed, and de Sorville informed Imogen, that the detail which he had briefly made, the count had listened to in strong and evident emotion, but that he had made no comment on the conduct of the baron de Montargis, except that once, when the chevalier dwelt with peculiar energy on the refined gene

rosity of this amiable young nobleman, the count exclaimed with vehemence :

"It is thus I would have acted, had the "fortune of war thrown him in my power: "but his father would not have under"stood this refined mode of triumph; he " would have crushed to the earth my lovely, my innocent sufferer, had she "fallen his victim."

"And will he not," said Imogen, "make some acknowledgement to the generous son of this inveterate enemy?", "I dared not, in the present moment,

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urge it," returned the chevalier: "the "count, I fear, thinks it would look like "seizing on the opportunity to effect a "reconcilement between the families, "which I believe he would never consent "to, much less appear to solicit."

Imogen's only replication was a profound sigh; and the chevalier, observing the heaviness of her eyes, the paleness of hercheek, and the depression of her spirits,

insisted on her retiring to rest, and conducted her himself to the door of the apartment prepared for her.

Once more alone and unobserved, her heart fondly and impulsively reverted to its long-treasured object of cogitation. Ast she divested herself of her attire, the picture of the baron de Montargis fell from her bosom, where she had deposited it with the billet which had enwrapt it. Had she, in that moment of emotion, retained any presence of mind to form a determi nation, it would have been to return this precious shadow to the original; but the succeeding conflicts she had endured dissipated every idea unconnected with themselves, and the fond weakness of her enamoured heart now triumphed in the inadvertency of her mind. Yes," said she, gazing tenderly on the almost-living resemblance," it is not yet a crime to retain "thee, though it is a weakness; it is not yet a crime to recall that moment, when

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"the glance of those eloquent eyes first "met mine; when those lips first emit"ted the accents of a voice whose melt

ing tone sunk to my heart; but when "this fond indulgence shall cease to re"ceive the sanction of virtue, as it now "does of prudence, then, oh! precious image, thou shalt receive my last "adieu."

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Imogen pressed the picture to her lips; and placing it in the last incoherent letter she had received from the baron de Montargis, she deposited for the night the precious packet beneath her pillow, which, though not strewn with roses, was yet not scattered with thorns, while the repose which exhausted nature bestowed, was illumined by those glowing images the dream of fancy stole from the fond wishes of the heart, and sweetened by that proud self-approbation which conscious virtue ever bestows.

CHAP. XX.

Though the poisonous charms

Of baleful Superstition guide the feet Of servile numbers thro' a dreary way, a gentler star

Your lovely search illumines.

Proceed exulting to th' eternal shrine

Where TRUTH conspicuous with her sisters twain,
The undivided partners of her sway,
With Good and Beauty reigns.

AKENSIDE.

THE dawn had scarcely glanced through the casement of Imogen's apartment when she arose and dressed herself, then hurried to her father's room. All there was profound stilness, the count still asleep, and his two attendants, each in their chair, gave audible intimation of the profound repose they enjoyed. The close-drawn curtains faintly admitted the dawn's strength