d the abbe, soothingly, "compose yourself. It seems
there is still some generous action I have not yet been told of. I
really must plead guilty to admiring the candour of your friend, however
his love of truth may offend your modesty. I was not acquainted with the
servant you alluded to, as, unfortunately, just about the time she
entered the service of our worthy M. Ferrand, he became so overwhelmed
with cares and business as to be obliged temporarily to interrupt our
frequent friendly meetings."

"That was merely a pretext to conceal the fresh act of goodness he
meditated, M. l'Abbe, and, at the risk of paining his modesty, I am
determined you shall know all about it," said Polidori, with a malignant
smile, while Jacques Ferrand, in mute rage, leaned his elbows on his
desk, while he concealed his face with his hands. "Imagine, then, M.
l'Abbe," resumed Polidori, feigning to address himself to the cure, but
at each phrase contriving to direct an ironical glance towards Jacques
Ferrand, "imagine that my kind-hearted friend here found his new
domestic possessed of the purest and rarest qualifications, the most
perfect modesty, with the gentleness and piety of an angel; nor was this
all. The quick penetration of my friend Jacques soon discovered that the
female in question (who, by the way, was both young and beautiful) had
never been accustomed to a servant's life, and that, to the most austere
virtue, she added great and varied information, with first-rate talents,
which had received the highest cultivation."

"Indeed!" exclaimed the abbe, much interested in the recital. "I was
not aware of this. But what ails you, my good M. Ferrand? You seem ill
and disturbed!"

"A slight headache," answered the notary, wiping the cold, clammy drops
from his brow, for the restraint he imposed upon himself was most
severe,--"nothing more! It will soon pass off."

Polidori shrugged up his shoulders, smiled maliciously, and said:

"Observe, M. l'Abbe, that Jacques is always seized with the same
symptoms directly any of his good actions are brought forward. But never
mind,--I am determined that his light shall no longer be hid under a
bushel, and it is my firm intention to reveal all his hidden charities.
But first let me go on with the history of his generous exertions in
favour of Cecily, who, on her side, had quickly discovered the
excellency of Jacques's heart, and, when questioned by him touching the
past, she candidly confessed