Countess had as many times visited her daughter: not unmindful of her promise, she honored me with a degree of fondness the more flattering; in her presents to Julia, never was I forgotten. At the end of this period, Julia returned to England for a short time to visit her father, whom she had not seen for the time before mentioned. So grieved were we at parting, that the Countess entreated I might accompany her, promising to bring us both back in a month. — Gladly, my dear Madam, would I grant your request', said Madame du Saint, but I daily expect to hear from her friends; should any of them come in her absence, how could I excuse it?' - The Countess acquiesced, and, with a promise of my friend's quick return, we parted. -- "As the Abbess surmised, so it happened; for, about a week after, the person who first brought me paid us a visit. I was called to the parlour, but had not the least recollection of her again. She accosted me with, 'Well, Louisa, how do you do? your friends are not unmindful of you, I am come to pay four years more; great friendship all this, I hope you will deserve it.' I had no notion of friendship, but from lady Melville, and hastily exclaimed, 'How does my dear mamma? -and when does Julia return?' " Mamma, Miss!' said she, hesitating. Madame du Saint remedied my mistake, by explaining my calling 6 a young lady in the convent, sister; and her mother permitting me to use that liberty with her. The woman presently regained her consequence, observing, 'young ladies should not be too talkative or ask questions, but stay till their elders. thought proper to satisfy them in every thing that was proper for them to know.'-' Believe me, Madam,' said I with spirit, 'had I at first recollected you, the question had been spared: were my Julia and her mother here, I should have no inquiries beyond the convent walls.' Madame du Saint gave me a look of disapprobation, and ordered me to my apartment. Stop, Miss,' said Mrs. Masters, for so was she called, 'beware of ingratitude; your family has suffered severely for it.'' Indeed, Madam, you accuse me unjustly; I am extremely grateful for the happy situation I enjoy; but you must pardon me if I prefer the friends I have seen, to those who never honored me with their presence.'-' Well, Miss,' returned she, let it pass: what improvements have you made?' Madame du Saint informed her I spoke French and Italian perfectly well; and played on the harpsichord, and painted tolerably. Mrs. Masters looked astonished, and objected to the last articles, as increasing the expense beyond what my guardian allowed. 'Not in the least,' said the Abbess, we teach her ourselves; and she learns with such facility, it is a pleasure to instruct her. I have found her the gentlest temper I ever met with, and am extremely sorry she has said any thing to give you offence.' The kindness with which the Abbess spoke forced from me what insolence could not effect; and the tears which pride had stifled found way, and rolled plenteously down my cheeks. If I have behaved in a manner to need an apology from a lady like Madame du Saint, I am conscious I am wrong. Pardon me, Madam,' turning to Mrs. Masters, the goodness of that lady, and some others, has spoiled me; but I will endeavour to learn humility.' She was pleased to unbend her brow at my submission, saying she had no doubt I would be well provided for, if I merited it. After settling her business with the Abbess, with whom she left money to clothe me, she made me happy by her departure. 'I am extremely sorry,' said Madame du Saint, 'that you should say any thing Mrs. Masters may construe into an offence; she may think you ill taught, and remove you to some other place; and, indeed, Louisa, I should be sorry to part from you.' Had she spoke for hours, she could not have done it more effectually; the idea of being parted from my real friends, painted my imprudence in the strongest light; and I promised, should she return again, to behave with the greatest humility and circumspection." CHAPTER IX. LOUISA'S STORY CONTINUED. He saw her charming, but he saw not half THOMSON'S SEASONS. "THE Countess brought her daughter about the time appointed; Julia hastily embraced the Abbess, and flew to our apartment to seek me. After mutual caresses, I informed her of the behaviour of Mrs. Masters: Indeed,' replied the lively Julia, I have been as little happy as yourself; for of all the odd mortals, sure my father is the strangest: he has the gout to a violent degree, which adds to his native peevishness. Lady Melville bears all with the patience of a saint, appearing only to feel his ill humor when levelled at my brother or me. My brother, Louisa, is the loviest youth I ever saw; four years older than me, now in his seventeenth year; but I cannot describe him; let his picture speak for him-so saying, she showed me a miniature of comments, Madame du Saint entered the room. 'Why, Julia,' said she, 'you have scarcely told me how you do; you were in such a hurry to see your friend, that you forgot compliments: how do you like England? Really, Madam, I don't know: I saw little but our own family: papa's gout was so bad, it entirely confined mamma; and he was so cross, that, if I was cheerful, I was a hoiden a convent could not tame,-if serious, I had learned gloominess from nuns, who languished for the world they had renounced in a pet. My brother, Lord Gray, was not more fortunate; if he read, he was a bookworm,-if gay, a spendthrift,-if grave, he was considering what was the best game to lose his estate at; for he perfectly well knew that hazard and billiards were attended to at Oxford, where my brother has lately been, with more avidity than literature.' I know not how long Julia would have run on, had not Madame du Saint interrupted her gravely, with, 'You are speaking of your father, Lady Julia ;. -but whose picture have you there? My brother's, Madam,' said she, presenting it; 'he is to travel in three years; at which time, we may hope to see him: and, as I would not have Louisa a stranger to her relations, I have brought this likeness, that she may know him when they meet. Your father said, with great justness, a convent had not tamed you,' replied Madame |