s
departure. I was not at all of opinion that she ought to go. I consider
it as a fixed principle of happiness, that we ought to prefer the
advantages of nature to those of fortune, and never go in search of that
at a distance, which we may find at home,--in our own bosoms. But what
could be expected from my advice, in opposition to the illusions of a
splendid fortune?--or from my simple reasoning, when in competition with
the prejudices of the world, and an authority held sacred by Madame de
la Tour? This lady indeed only consulted me out of politeness; she had
ceased to deliberate since she had heard the decision of her confessor.
Margaret herself, who, notwithstanding the advantages she expected for
her son from the possession of Virginia's fortune, had hitherto opposed
her departure, made no further objections. As for Paul, in ignorance of
what had been determined, but alarmed at the secret conversations which
Virginia had been holding with her mother, he abandoned himself to
melancholy. "They are plotting something against me," cried he, "for
they conceal every thing from me."

A report having in the meantime been spread in the island that fortune
had visited these rocks, merchants of every description were seen
climbing their steep ascent. Now, for the first time, were seen
displayed in these humble huts the richest stuffs of India; the fine
dimity of Gondelore; the handkerchiefs of Pellicate and Masulipatan;
the plain, striped, and embroidered muslins of Dacca, so beautifully
transparent: the delicately white cottons of Surat, and linens of all
colours. They also brought with them the gorgeous silks of China,
satin damasks, some white, and others grass-green and bright red; pink
taffetas, with the profusion of satins and gauze of Tonquin, both plain
and decorated with flowers; soft pekins, downy as cloth; and white and
yellow nankeens, and the calicoes of Madagascar.

Madame de la Tour wished her daughter to purchase whatever she liked;
she only examined the goods, and inquired the price, to take care that
the dealers did not cheat her. Virginia made choice of everything she
thought would be useful or agreeable to her mother, or to Margaret and
her son. "This," said she, "will be wanted for furnishing the cottage,
and that will be very useful to Mary and Domingo." In short, the bag of
piastres was almost emptied before she even began to consider her own
wants; and she was obliged to receive back for her own use