conduct, inclination urges
me on to ruin."

"Ruin! fiddlestick!" said Mademoiselle; "am I not going with you? and do
I feel any of these qualms?"

"You do not renounce a tender father and mother," said Charlotte.

"But I hazard my dear reputation," replied Mademoiselle, bridling.

"True," replied Charlotte, "but you do not feel what I do." She then
bade her good night: but sleep was a stranger to her eyes, and the tear
of anguish watered her pillow.

CHAPTER XII.

Nature's last, best gift:
Creature in whom excell'd, whatever could
To sight or thought be nam'd!
Holy, divine! good, amiable, and sweet!
How thou art fall'n!--

WHEN Charlotte left her restless bed, her languid eye and pale cheek
discovered to Madame Du Pont the little repose she had tasted.

"My dear child," said the affectionate governess, "what is the cause of
the languor so apparent in your frame? Are you not well?"

"Yes, my dear Madam, very well," replied Charlotte, attempting to smile,
"but I know not how it was; I could not sleep last night, and my spirits
are depressed this morning."

"Come cheer up, my love," said the governess; "I believe I have brought
a cordial to revive them. I have just received a letter from your good
mama, and here is one for yourself."

Charlotte hastily took the letter: it contained these words--

"As to-morrow is the anniversary of the happy day that gave my beloved
girl to the anxious wishes of a maternal heart, I have requested your
governess to let you come home and spend it with us; and as I know you
to be a good affectionate child, and make it your study to improve in
those branches of education which you know will give most pleasure to
your delighted parents, as a reward for your diligence and attention
I have prepared an agreeable surprise for your reception. Your
grand-father, eager to embrace the darling of his aged heart, will come
in the chaise for you; so hold yourself in readiness to attend him
by nine o'clock. Your dear father joins in every tender wish for your
health and future felicity, which warms the heart of my dear Charlotte's
affectionate mother, L. TEMPLE."

"Gracious heaven!" cried Charlotte, forgetting where she was, and
raising her streaming eyes as in earnest supplication.

Madame Du Pont was surprised. "Why these tears, my love?" said she.
"Why this seeming agitation? I thought the letter would have rejoiced,
instead of distressing you."

"It d