atever
they like is agreeable to others. The distaste which Louisa had on many
occasions testified for the count, seemed now to have been only
affected:--the melancholy she had been in, and the deep resvery she
remembered she had fallen into when first she informed her of their
amour, joined to convince her, that the advice she gave proceeded from a
motive very different from what she pretended.

The wily count saw into the workings of her soul; and while he seemed as
if he would not discover the whole of his sentiments for fear of
disobliging her, threw out the plainest hints, that Louisa had made him
advances which would have been very flattering to a heart not
pre-engaged, till Melanthe, not able to contain her rage, broke out into
the fevered invectives against the innocent Louisa.--The ungrateful
wretch! cried she, how dare she presume to envy, much less to offer an
interruption to my pleasures!--What, have I raised the little wretch to
such a forgetfulness of herself, that she pretends to rival her mistress
and benefactress! In the height of her resentment, she related to the
count in what manner she had taken her into her service; but that
finding her, as she imagined, a girl of prudence, she had made her a
companion during her travels, and as such treated her with respect, and
made others do so too;--but, said she, I will reduce her to what she
was, and since she knows not how to prize the honour of my friendship,
make her feel the severities of servitude.

Nothing could be more astonishing, and at the same time more pleasing to
count Bellfleur than this discovery: what he felt for Louisa could not
be called love, he desired only to enjoy her; and the knowledge of her
meanness, together with Melanthe's resentment, which he doubted not but
he should be able to improve to the turning her out of doors, made him
imagine she would then be humbled enough to accept of any, offers he
might make her.

Pursuant to this cruel aim, he told Melanthe, that now not thinking
himself under any obligation to conceal the whole of the affair, he must
confess Louisa had not only made him advances, but gone so far as to
discover a very great passion for him.--As I had never, said he, given
her the least room to hope I was ambitious of any favours from her of
that nature, I could not help thinking she was guilty of some
indecencies ill-becoming a woman of condition, as well as infidelity to
her friendship for you, whom she might we