having observed her ramble in the garden on the night preceding

her departure from La Vallée, now mentioned the motive of it, at

which Madame Cheron smiled contemptuously, refusing either to

accept this explanation, or to give her reasons for refusing it; and,

soon after, she concluded the subject by saying, ‘I never trust

people’s assertions, I always judge of them by their actions; but

I am willing to try what will be your behaviour in future.’¶

silence, than by the accusation she had received, deeply considered

the latter, and scarcely doubted, that it was Valancourt whom she

had seen at night in the gardens of La Vallée, and that he had been

observed there by Madame Cheron; who now passing from one

painful topic only to revive another almost equally so, spoke of the

situation of her niece’s property, in the hands of M. Motteville.

While she thus talked with ostentatious pity of Emily’s mis-

fortunes, she failed not to inculcate the duties of humility and

gratitude, or to render Emily fully sensible of every cruel mortifica-

tion, who soon perceived, that she was to be considered as a de-

pendant, not only by her aunt, but by her aunt’s servants.¶

dinner, on which account Madame Cheron repeated the lesson of

the preceding night, concerning her conduct in company, and Emily

wished, that she might have courage enough to practise it. Her aunt

then proceeded to examine the simplicity of her dress, adding, that

she expected to see her attired with gaiety and taste; after which

she condescended to shew Emily the splendour of her chateau,

and to point out the particular beauty, or elegance, which she

thought distinguished each of her numerous suites of apartments.

she then withdrew to her toilet, the throne of her homage, and

Emily to her chamber, to unpack her books, and to try to charm

her mind by reading, till the hour of dressing.¶

air of timidity, which all her efforts could not overcome, and which

was increased by the consciousness of Madame Cheron’s severe

observation. Her mourning dress, the mild dejection of her

beautiful countenance, and the retiring diffidence of her manner,

rendered her a very interesting object to many of the company;

among whom she distinguished Signor Montoni, and his friend

Cavigni, the late visitors at M. Quesnel’s, who now seemed to

converse with Madame Cheron with the familiarity of old acquain-

tance, and she to attend to them with particular pleasure.¶