 girl, who truly loved her, was almost distracted, at seeing and hearing her mistress look and speak so: and positively declared she would never leave

her, let her determination in life be what it would.
CHARLOTTE peremptorily insisted on discharging her from her service; but told her she would support her in Paris, while her money lasted, and that she might sometimes see her at the convent. This, in some measure, quieted the poor servant's anxiety; but Charlotte's unhappiness increased every hour.—She went not to bed, and the pearly drops remained on her fair cheek, when the sun had exhaled those of the dew.
SHE wrote a few lines to let lord Seymour know that she was going into the convent of St. Anthony; and, in her distraction, gave the letter to her made to deliver, without reflecting that the faithful Nannette had resolved not to quit Paris, till her mistress's fate was determined.
IN the morning she dressed herself, and endeavoured to assume an air of composure and tranquility, with a breaking heart. About ten o'clock, the same person who had attended her the night before, came in a coach, accompanied by madame de Beaumont's woman, who presented her with the following letter:
CHARLOTTE,
BOTH the general and I, are much pleased with the accounts we have received of your behaviour. Any remonstrance against our commands, would be at once presumptuous and vain. Continue, therefore, to deserve our favour, by a silent and unlimited obedience.
YOU are already informed, that the general has devoted you to heaven.—Let not his will, who has an absolute power over you, appear severe. A convent is the only place

where true happiness is to be found.—That you may meet it there, sincerely wishes
C. DE BEAUMONT.
P.S. You are expected to enter upon your noviciate immediately.
CHARLOTTE received this cruel sentence with amazing fortitude. To her perturbed and wretched state of mind, the quieter asylum of a cloister, appeared not undelightful; and had not her passion for lord Seymour revolted against the severity of her doom, she might have been led like a lamb to the sacrifice, without a sigh or groan.
MADAME de Beaumont's last letter seemed less farouche than her former one; and this encouraged Charlotte to hope, that time and her obedience might possibly awaken the tender feelings of maternal love, in her hitherto obdurate breast. She inquired whether she might be permitted to return her thanks for madame de Beaumont's favour in writing? and was again
