Matilda, who felt her heart uncommonly light, readily promised to behave very well, and requested the Marchioness would take an opportunity to acquaint her mother with the Count's generosity and affection for her.
This being agreed on, the ladies returned to the desert, with so much satisfaction in their countenances as excited the attention of their friends.
"I do not ask after the head-ach, (said the Marquis, smiling) a téte-à-téte seems to have driven it away." "You are right, (answered his lady, in the same tone;) it sometimes cures both the head and the heart; but come, give us some fruit, it must be confessed you have done pretty well in our absence."
The Countess Berniti was delighted to see her daughter look cheerful; and as the Count De Bouville had engaged her in conversation, Matilda joined in it now and then with great complaisance towards him, which elevated his
