through the interview.
    »I rejoice, madam,« she said, with a smile, which was meant to express
condescension at once and encouragement, »that we are at length permitted the
society of such a respectable person of our own sex as you appear to be. I must
say, that my niece and I have had but little for which to thank the hospitality
of King Louis - Nay, niece, never pluck my sleeve - I am sure I read in the
looks of this young lady sympathy for our situation. - Since we came hither,
fair madam, we have been used little better than mere prisoners; and after a
thousand invitations to throw our cause and our persons under the protection of
France, the Most Christian King has afforded us at first but a base inn for our
residence, and now a corner of this moth-eaten palace, out of which we are only
permitted to creep towards sunset, as if we were bats or owls, whose appearance
in the sunshine is to be held matter of ill omen.«
    »I am sorry,« said the Princess, faltering with the awkward embarrassment of
the interview, »that we have been unable, hitherto, to receive you according to
your deserts. - Your niece, I trust, is better satisfied?«
    »Much - much better than I can express,« answered the youthful Countess - »I
sought but safety, and I have found solitude and secrecy besides. The seclusion
of our former residence, and the still greater solitude of that now assigned to
us, augment, in my eye, the favour which the King vouchsafed to us unfortunate
fugitives.«
    »Silence, my silly cousin,« said the elder lady, »and let us speak according
to our conscience, since at last we are alone with one of our own sex - I say
alone, for that handsome young soldier is a mere statue, since he seems not to
have the use of his limbs, and I am given to understand he wants that of his
tongue, at least in civilised language - I say, since no one but this lady can
understand us, I must own there is nothing I have regretted equal to taking this
French journey. I looked for a splendid reception, tournaments, carousals,
pageants, and festivals; and instead of which, all has been seclusion and
obscurity! and the best society whom the King introduced to us, was a Bohemian
vagabond, by whose agency he directed us to correspond with our friends in
Flanders. - Perhaps,« said the lady, »it is his politic intention