The moment he left the room Matilda arose, and throwing her arms round the Marchioness, her grateful heart overflowing into tears, "Oh! my dearest, my generous protectress, how shall I ever return your goodness?" "By loving me, my precious girl, as affectionately as I do you, (answered she, embracing her.) Observing the Marquis seemed musing, "May I ask, my Lord, what occupies your thoughts?" "Yes, (replied he;) it is fit you should know; to be plain then, I don't like Mr. Weimar; I suspect he means to deceive us." Good God, (cried Matilda, alarmed) how is that possible?" "Be it as it may, (answered the Marquis) we will guard against any sinister design; let our young friend retire this night to some place of safety." "You do not surely apprehend he will apply for a lettre de-cachet? (said the Marchioness.) "I should not be surprised at it, (returned he.) "Then (said she) we will set off instantly on our journey; Louison and Antoine can attend us; Marianne shall take care of all our baggage here, andfollow
