Mainville, and passing through the park-like grounds,
was once more in the proud home of the Montignys.

Meantime, Amanda Macdonald had not slept.
Shame, joy, fear, hope possessed her; but fear chiefly,
for she dreaded the coming morrow, when she must
meet her foster-mother, and -- what to her was yet
more terrible -- her, as she supposed, deeply offended
guardian; and it was not till the birds began to
chirp and flit about her window, that she fell into a
deep, refreshing slumber that lasted long into the
day, and was at length broken by the voice of Mona
bidding her arise.

The advocate, on the other hand, who had at once
returned to town, arose at his usual hour, and repair-
ing to his office, began the business of the day;
whilst at a later period, the dissipated Narcisse again
found his boon companions, and with them renewed
the debauch of yesterday.

During the day the anxious Mona did not fail to
question her charge touching the interrupted inter-
view; and the latter at length related how it had be-
fallen, confessed to her sudden passion for the gallant
Montigny, revealed his plighted vows, and confiding
herself to the bosom where she had always found ad-
vice and comfort, deprecated the displeasure of her
guardian. But the betrayed Mona could give her
only slight encouragement, in what was now yet
nearer to her than even her guardian's favor, her
lover's truth.

"Child," said Mona to her emphatically and in a
warning tone, after musing, "Child, hope not too
much; fear everything, for man is naturally false to-
wards woman. Ah, you have yet learned but little

[[49]]

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v?