tune he knew she would one day possess, and

determined on securing her hand while his

:

friend, having ascertained that Miss Montressor's sole wealth consisted in her beauty, directed to her only the most dishonourable views; to which, ere long, she fell a victim.

"The young ladies were equally compro

mised; and both expected the same atonement would be offered. This hope was only fulfilled on the part of the Marquis de Villeroi; for the day that saw him privately lead Mademoiselle de Meronville to the altar, witnessed the impromptu departure of the Chevalier de Carency from Florence, leaving Caroline Montressor a prey to all feelings save remorse; for that sentiment, hers, unfortunately, was not a spirit to feel. The Duchesse de Meronville pardoned a step in her daughter that was now irrevocable; and the Marquis and Marquise de Villeroi concealed the guilt of Caroline

Montressor, and extended towards her a friendship the sole basis of which was pity. A letter, soon after received from the faithless lover, under cover to Villeroi, gave the finishing blow to every womanly and proper feeling in this unhappy girl; and from the hour of its receipt may be dated the commencement of her total demoralisation. He stated, that in loving her, and seeking the gratification of that love, he but obeyed the dictates of nature and philosophy; and he left her from a conviction that their meetings would be interrupted by the esclandre which the marriage of her friend would occasion, or their pleasure be destroyed by reproaches, because he could not, or would not, like his friend, finish their charming episode of love, by a comedy larmoyante of marriage—a finale, which his poverty forbade, and his principles opposed.

"You are young and charming, ma belle,'

he wrote, 'and may command a rich marriage, which should be the end and aim of every portionless beauty. When you have accomplished this desideratum, I shall be one of the most humble of your slaves; but, until then, let me, as a friend, recommend you to be prudent in your conduct. The interests of women and men are wholly opposed that of the one is to get married; and that of the other, to avoid it by every possible means, unless driven to the altar of Hymen by the goading scourge of grim poverty, that gaunt spectre, who has compelled more victims to the fatal step than love ever enticed to it. Be circumspect, then, ma chère petite; count on my discretion; and let us hope to meet in Paris at some future day, when you shall have imposed the galling chains of marriage on one of your rich and dull compatriots, and emancipated yourself from the thraldom of demoiselleship. Wealth gives

every thing except youth, beauty, and health— these you possess; and, if you play your part skilfully, the riches you may attain. Keep this object always in view; and learn to smile. at the fade sentimentality and romance, that never fail to subjugate your sex to ours. Adieu, ma chère Caroline; aimez toujours votre HENRI.'

"Caroline Montressor neither wept nor pined at this confirmation of the unworthiness of him for whom she had sacrificed her honour. The last French novel she had read, had displayed a heroine abandoned under similar circumstances, who rose (as the writer stated) superior to the blow aimed at her peace, and, ascending the pedestal appropriated to talent and wit, hurled around her the weapons of both; captivating, while wounding and mocking, the victims she made.'

"Such will I be,' said Caroline to herself;

and, from this day, she devoted all her time, all her energies, to acquiring a proficiency in those accomplishments most likely to aid her views. She was permitted by her foolish mother to accompany the Villerois, to Vienna, while she established herself as a resident in the Hotel de Meronville at Paris, with her duchesse, who offered her a home during the absence of the young people. At Vienna, the beauty and talents of Miss Montressor attracted general attention; and more than one of her admirers would have become suitors for her hand, had they not been alarmed from a step so irrevocable by an imprudent intimacy which she formed with the Comtesse Hohenlinden, whose conduct furnished the common topic of scandalous animadversion in every circle.

"The young Duc de R., at that period the cynosure of neighbouring eyes at Vienna, soon became fascinated with the English beauty;