"Yes, Madam, (replied Madeline) with some little hesitation."
"Inform him then, (continued the Countess) that you have made me your confidant, also what I said concerning him, and my intentions; if he can give the required explanation; but remember Madeline, you tell him, that it must be an explanation so clear,—so full, that not a shadow of doubt shall remain after it; that, except every thing mysterious is fully elucidated, Madeline Clermont and he, must in future be strangers to each other."
"I shall obey you in every respect, Madam, (replied Madeline) and indeed (unable to conceal the high opinion she entertained of de Sevignie's virtues) I have not a doubt but we shall receive as satisfactory an explanation as we could desire."
"Heaven grant you may, (cried the Countess) but till you do—till there is some certainty of your being united to de Sevignie, I shall not again mention him to your father, who now imagines from a late letter
