her, but he thought it a very slender one.
Two days passed swiftly away.The Marchioness carried her young friend round the city, pointed out every place worth observation, or that could afford amusement. Matilda was in a new world: the polite and sensible conversation she now enjoyed was so different from every thing of the kind to which she had been accustomed, that she was mortified at her own deficiencies, and most assiduously endeavoured to profit by the good sense and elegant manners of her protectoress.
The third day after her arrival the Marchioness was to have an assembly. Matilda requested she might not appear, as the clothes she had were by no means suitable to such an occasion. "Indeed, my love, I cannot excuse you; that objection shall soon be done away (said her friend.) And presently some elegant silks, laces, linen, &c. were produced for her acceptance. "These things are formy
