My mother came in soon after you had left us. She was equally surprised and grieved to find you gone. She thought she was sure of your staying supper; and, not satisfied with the slight leave she had taken, she had been strengthening her mind to pass an hour in your company, in order to take a more solemn one.

My father asked her after her daughter.

Poor soul! said she, she has heard that the che-valier was to be here, to take leave of us.

By whom? By whom? said my father.

I cannot tell: but the poor creature is half-raving to be admitted among us. She has dressed herself in one of her best suits; and I found her sitting in a kind of form, expecting to be called down. Indeed, Lady Sforza, the method we are in, does not do.

So the chevalier said, replied that lady. Well, let us change it with all my heart. It is no pleasure to treat the dear girl harshly O sister! this is a most extraordinary man!

That momentinbolted Camilla LadyClementina is just at the door. I could not prevail upon her

We all looked upon one another.

Three soft taps at the door, and a hem, let us know she was there.

Let her come in, dear girl, let her come in, said the count: the chevalier is not here.

Laurana arose, and ran to the door, and led her in.

Dear creature, how wild she looked! Tears ran down my cheeks: I had not seen her for two days before. O how earnestly did she look round her! withdrawing her hand from her cousin, who would have led her to a chair, and standing quite still.

Come and sit by me, my sweet love, said her weeping mother. She stept towards her.

Sit down, my dear girl.

No: you beat me, remember.

Who beat you, my dear? Sure nobody would beat my child! Who beat you, Clementina?

I don’t know Still looking round her, as wanting Somebody.

Again her mother courted her to sit down.

No, madam, you don’t love me.

Indeed, my dear, I do.

II 2

So you say.

Her father held out his open arms to her. Tear* ran down his cheeks. He could not speak. Ah, my father! said she, stepping towards him.

He caught her in his arms Don’t, don’t, Sir, faintly struggling, with averted face You love me not You refused to see your child, when she want-ed to claim your protection! I was used cruelly.

By whom, my dear? by whom?

By every-body. I complained to one, and to another; but all were in a tone: and so I thought I would be contented. My mamma too! But it is no matter. I saw it was to be so; and I did not care.

By my soul, said I, this is not the way with her, Lady Sforza. The chevalier is in the right. You see how sensible she is of harsh treatment.