eturn to England.--I believe, by what her
woman told me this day, the latter will be my
fate.--Think not, however, most truly worthy
of your whole sex, that I want eyes to distinguish
your merits, or a heart capable of being
influenced by them, perhaps too deeply for my
own future peace:--this is a confession I would
not have made, were I ever to see you more;
but as I am determined to shut myself from all
the world during my abode at Venice, I thought
I owed this little recompence to the generous
affection you express for me, and had rather you
should think any thing of me, than that I am
ungrateful.

LOUISA.

_P.S._ I beg, monsieur, after this, you will not
attempt either to speak or write to me."

When she had sent this away, she fell into fresh complainings at the
severity of her fate, which constrained her to refuse what most she
languished for:--the uncertainty how she should be disposed of was also
a matter of grief:--she was at this time a prisoner in Melanthe's house:
she had sent several messages to that lady, by her woman, entreating to
know in what she had offended, but could receive no other answer than
abuses, without one word which gave her the least light into the cause
of this strange treatment; but that morning she was informed, by the
same woman, that her Lady protested she should never more come into her
presence, and that she would send her home: this, as she had wrote to
monsieur du Plessis, seemed highly probable, as there was no appearance
of a reconciliation; and the thoughts in what manner she should begin
her life again, on her return, filled her with many anxieties, which,
joined to others of a different nature, rendered her condition
truly pitiable.

It was in the midst of these perplexing meditations that word was
brought her from Melanthe, that she must prepare for her departure on
the ensuing day. It was in vain she again begged leave to see her, and
to be made acquainted with the reason of her displeasure; but the other
would not be prevailed upon, but sent her a purse sufficient to defray
the expences of her journey to England, and bid her woman tell her she
had no occasion to repine, for she turned her away in a much better
condition than she had found her.

CHAP. XV.

_Louisa is in danger of being ravished by the count de Bellfleur; is
providentially rescued by monsieur du Plessis, with several other
particulars_.

Louisa packed up her things, as she had been comma