of it by every means I could think of. My solicitude for that purpose did not escape her observation; and her gratitude was apparent in her looks still more than her expressions. You see plainly that I could not fail being in love; and you think, no doubt, that I had abundant opportunities of making declarations of my passion-there you are mistaken :-I never found her separate from the Genevoise, who I now find is a French woman. I had some well enough contrived plans for drawing her away a she eluded them all; and was sure to remain, when the presence of a third person seemed to me most intolerable. When the lady told me that her attendant was French, she added, with a view, no doubt, to have her constantly in her company, that she was of a decent family, had been well educated, and that she treated her as a companion;' of course she was always with us at meals, and they slept together. I was persuaded, however, from some observations I had made before we left Vevay, that ́this woman really was in the quality of a servant, and that a hint from madame la marquise would have pro duced her absence as often, and for as long a space of time, as she pleased: I was therefore mortified beyond expression to find that the hint was not given. Though I had not made a direct declaration of love to the lady, the whole of my conduct and behaviour must have convinced her of my sentiments. Any woman may be made to think that a man is fond of her, though he is not; but few women, and fewer French women than others, are so dull, as not to perceive the symptoms of love in him who is really enamoured with them. I had every reason to believe that she had the highest esteem for me; and, had it not been for my finding all my attempts for conversing with her alone baffled, and that evidently with her connivance, I should have flattered myself that some particles of tenderness were intermingled with her esteem.

On one particular occasion I found her alone: the conversation between us was on general subjects. As I expected the maid every moment, for I had laid no scheme for keeping her away, I did not at once attempt to lead it

to the most interesting point. The interval, however, becoming much longer than usual, my discourse, at length, began to tend that way; when madame la marquise, as if by accident, shoved a box from off the table, which making a noise by its fall on the floor, the officious maid immediately entered, and having lifted the box, she calmly seated herself in the room. I am persuaded that my looks were expressive of disappointment, vexation, and reproach: I did not utter a syllable for a considerable time, not even to support the conversation; which she resumed, and sustained with the greatest good-humour, and almost in the accent of one who begs to be forgiven. I could speak only in short sentences.-She mentioned some English books that she had read with great pleasure of the national character, comparing it with that of her own country at its most brilliant period. I at length observed, that the French had one advantage over the English at all periods; that they could converse with their most esteemed friends, before indif ferent persons, with the same ease as if none were present, which was what very few English could."

At this remark she smiled; and, after remaining silent and thoughtful for some time, addressing the maid, she said- You wished to take a walk, Christine; if you please, you may go now: monsieur has something particular to say to me.'

No sooner was the woman gone, than I expressed my thanks to the lady for this instance of her complaisance, acknowledging that I was one of those who could not speak, without restraint, to a friend, in the presence of any third person; that I had earnestly wished for an opportunity of laying open my whole heart to her, on a subject on which my happiness depended; and I then declared my passion in the most impressive terms. She made no attempt to interrupt me; but, with a gay air, she replied That she knew it was the prevailing opinion among the English, that the French ladies expected such declarations; that what an English woman of character would consider as affrontive, a French woman

viewed as a proof of politeness-a becoming fromage paid to her charms; and, at the worst, a proposal to be forgiven, though rejected; that she herself happened to be of a different opinion from that imputed to her country. women; she could readily excuse me, however, for not knowing her particular way of thinking. But as I had now performed, with all due decorum, the ceremonial which I might suppose French etiquette exacted, she hoped that every thing of the same nature would be dispensed with in future, that she might have the happiness of continuing to view me in the light of a genuine friend, to whom she owed everlasting esteem and gratitude.'

This she pronounced in a tone partly jocular and partly serious, but entirely engaging.

I could not help thinking, on the whole, however, that this friendly species of defence was preparatory to a graceful surrender.-I could not conceive that a gay French woman, bred amidst the gallantries of Paris and Versailles, would think a combat à mort absolutely necessary on the present occasion; but I saw that it was highly incumbent to proceed with all possible address and spirit I accordingly brought my whole eloquence into play, aided by that degree of action which I thought most likely to give it effect: she evidently showed a reluctance to quarrel with me about trifles. I flattered myself that victory was at no great distance; when she suddenly rose, and said, with earnestness, and some share of severity, that she must withdraw. When I attempted to remonstrate against it, she repeated, with an air of great firmness, You must not oppose my withdrawing: but I will meet you again to-morrow, and without any witness.' Seeing that she was determined, I did not think it prudent to insist farther, I only said, 'Or this evening.'— No, not this evening,' said she; I am somewhat indisposed. Indisposed!' cried I, with an alarmed voice- Are you unwell?'

It is not much,' said she: I will assuredly meet you alone to-morrow.'

I did not well know what construction to put on her

conduct: I should have been still more concerned at the thoughts of her being suddenly seized with some bodily indisposition, if I had remarked any of that languor in her countenance which attends such illness; but I never saw her look with greater firmness and animation than when she left me. In the evening I had some conversation with the maid, who, I observed, sat not, as usual, in the room with her mistress, but in one adjoining. I ask ed if the lady was indisposed and gone to bed? She an swered, that she rather thought that something had vexed la marquise, because she had not even reclined on the bed, as was her custom during any slight indisposition, but seemed uncommonly thoughtful, and expressed a wish to be alone.'

1

You shall have the sequel in my next. Yours ever,

J. MORDAUNT.

LETTER XXIX.

The Same in Continuation.

Frankfort. THE HE following morning, a little before our usual hour of breakfasting, the marchioness sent me word that she was inclined to breakfast in her bed-chamber, but that she would meet me an hour after in the parlour. I was there considerably before that time was expired: she entered the room about the hour appointed. There was a solemnity in her manner that I had never observed before. To the usual inquiries she answered only by bowing her head. She then expressed a desire to be allowed to speak, without interruption, until she had finished all she wished to say. I promised to be silent; and she ex-. pressed herself in the following terms.

Independent of the important obligations which I lie under to you, for which I shall ever feel the highest gratitude, I have observed qualities in you, sir, which must command the esteem of every one, and might win the af fection of any woman whose heart was disengaged.

MORDAUNT.

Why does and ton of offe love?

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Though I did not think myself at liberty to acquaint you with all the particulars of my story, I did inform you, that I was a woman of family, a married woman, and I never gave you reason to believe that I was not a virtuous one. I was willing to impute your addresses yesterday to the general impression which, I have been told, prevails in your country respecting gallantry in France. I endeavoured to convince you of your mistake; notwithstanding which your behaviour was such as no modest woman could permit, and as would have prevented me from ever desiring again to see any other man who had behaved in the same manner. To you, sir, I wished to explain myself farther, because I freely acknowledge that it would be most painful to me to withdraw my esteem and friendship from one who has laid me under such weighty obligations.

• Be assured that you are in an error with regard to the ladies of my country. Though endowed with more vivacity than some of their neighbours, they equally know to distinguish gaiety from vice. I myself was educated in virtuous principles, under the eye of the best and most amiable of her sex.-O! my beloved, my lamented mother, never shall the maxims which you taught and practised be erased from the memory of your unhappy daughter !'

Here her voice failed; she burst into tears, and she continued sobbing for a considerable time. I was as unable to speak as she was. Having dried up her tears, with an air of dignified composure, she resumed,—' I have to inform you, sir, that I am not only a married woman, but the wife of a man of honour; a man whom I always esteemed and loved, and whose misfortunes render him dearer to me than ever; one who, in the days of our prosperity, returned my love with equal affection, and has ever honoured me with his entire confidence. At this moment, sir, he is fully informed of my escape from Vevay by your means; that I have travelled and lodged at inns with you: I have even described you to him with