than the future did to me.

From my

earliest youth my hand was destined for my cousin, the baron de S: I was taught to love him, to admire him, to think that all his actions were right, and that mine were to be modelled upon his taste and judgment; and, believe me, I was a willing scholar in all; for in our infancy, and our youth, we had been always companions. He was young, handsome, amiable, and accomplished: he was dotingly fond of me when I was a child, and I fancied that he would love me as a woman. Germans are not in general fond of travelling; but when he was twenty, and I was sixteen, he was sent to France, Italy, and England, to finish his education; and after two years, he returned to receive my hand. But my cousin was no longer the same: the gay, lively boy, had become the grave, melancholy man; and to me, of all others, who loved him almost to folly, he was cold, distant, and reserved; and though he lent himself to the views

of

of our relations, in regard to our marriage, it was as a matter in which he had no con

cern. Oh, Melville! no one can tell-no one can imagine the agony of slighted affection, but those who have felt it as I have, in all its bitterness. Nature could not support it, and I fell into sickness: but as soon as I was recovered, my father commanded me to give my hand to my cousin, and persuaded me that his affection would revive after our marriage. A dispensation had been procured from Rome (for we were within the prescribed degrees of consanguinity), and though much against my will, for my heart revolted against wedding a man who did not love me, I at length yielded.

"The first time the baron saw me after my illness, there was a return for a short time of his former kindness: distress of mind had made great ravages in my appearance. He was struck and affected: he pressed my hand-called me his dear Adelaide, and made my eyes run over with

M 4

with tears of surprise and joy. But it was only the momentary effort of compassion, and he soon again relapsed into coldness and ceremony.

"We were married. Melville, I cannot enter into all the rest: but he carried his coldness so far, that he completely alienated from himself any remains of affection that yet lingered in my bosom. I became ill in health; and my father, who saw me wretched, attributed the misery of his only child to himself, in pressing me to such a marriage; and giving way to his regret, he died, leaving me without any support under all I suffered. I took my resolution, and as calmly, as coldly, as he could have done, I proposed to the baron that we should part, and that I should fix my residence in one country and he in another. When I did so, he put his hands over his eyes, and for a time seemed much affected: then raising himself to his full height Be it so, madam,' he replied: 'will you state what income you desire,

and

and it shall be at your disposal?? Of course I left it to him; and he behaved with that liberality that always characterized him. He shared his fortune equally with me, and I chose France for my future residence.

"But ere I proceed, let me do him justice. Do not suppose that he ever treated me ill; that he ever spoke one unkind word to me. No; he was ever ceremo niously attentive, polite to the extreme. I commanded every thing in his house and property; and from every one he ex acted for me the utmost observance. But it was love that I had expected, Melvilleit was affection that I required; and instead, he gave me only cold propriety, and chilling reserve.

"The day arrived for our separation. Oh, had he even then shewn the least attachment to me, the least grief for my departure, I would have thrown myself upon his bosom, and never quitted him in life! But when I came down in the morning,

he received me in the same calm, stiff manner as before; and after breakfast, handed me to the carriage that was to convey me away for ever. Many of the servants, and peasantry even, to whom I had been kind, wept at my departure; but my husband betrayed no emotion whatever; he was pale, deadly pale, and the only words he spoke were, Adelaide, I can trust you; one day you will know me and forgive

The baroness burst into tears, and could scarcely proceed for some minutes. At last she went on-" I have little more to tell you. I settled, according to this arrangement, in Paris, and bought this hotel ; my income is paid regularly, and regularly the baron inquires after my health; but there all kindness stops: thus have days, that seemed to promise nothing but summer and sunshine, been clouded for ever! Oh, Melville! when I think of all the dreams of my early youth, all the warmth of my affections, and the brightness of my prospects,