ctress, said: 'In acceding to the anxious
solicitations of Miss de St. Leon I am only doing justice to her
deserving protege as I can trace in M. de Clinville's countenance a
goodness that will render him worthy all the interest I can devote to
him, and which I promise you he shall ever experience.'

'Miss de St. Leon! Miss de St. Leon!' repeated Gustavus.

'Most likely,' added Madame de Clinville, 'she is the daughter of the
general who, by his great exploits, has attained one of the highest
posts under Government, and is one of the Emperor's greatest favourites.
We must learn where he lives, and go to him directly.'

'Let us,' said Emmelina, 'enter the first library and examine the Court
calendar, and we shall find this so much desired address.' Upon which
they discovered the general resided at the village St. Honore, near the
Elysee, and thither speedily repaired.

Emmelina desired the porter to announce that M. de Clinville, an
artillery officer, and his family requested a moment's interview with
Miss de St. Leon. The porter shortly returned with a footman, who had
orders to introduce the ladies and the newly-appointed officer to the
great hall where Miss de St. Leon delayed not to attend them.

She was in the same dress and green hat, ornamented with white pearls,
which she wore on meeting her in the Tuileries, accompanied by the same
lady, whom she called her aunt. She advanced precipitately to Emmelina,
and, embracing her, said: 'Forgive me for having deceived you with
secrecy, and wounded your delicacy.' She then added, with sensible
emotion: 'I wished gradually to give you a proof of those sentiments you
inspired me with on our first meeting, and convinced, by the inquiries I
made, that your greatest ambition was to obtain a commission for your
brother, and from the high character given of him by the head masters of
the academy my aunt and I have (in the absence of my father with the
army), without difficulty obtained him that which will add to the
country's service another brave soldier, and to your worthy family the
completion of your wishes, and, lastly, to myself the happiness of
proving to you the high value I set on your delicious bunch of cherries
which you obliged me to partake of, and how strong an impression the
sentiment which accompanied them has made upon my remembrance.' To which
at first Emmelina made no reply, but affectionately embraced and saluted
her.

Madame de Clinville could not forb