Emily, desirous of concluding the conversation, enquired if her aunt

would accept some refreshment, and Madame Cheron accompanied her to the

chateau, but without desisting from a topic, which she discussed with so

much complacency to herself, and severity to her niece.

'I am sorry to perceive, niece,' said she, in allusion to somewhat that

Emily had said, concerning physiognomy, 'that you have a great many of

your father's prejudices, and among them those sudden predilections for

people from their looks. I can perceive, that you imagine yourself to be

violently in love with this young adventurer, after an acquaintance of

only a few days. There was something, too, so charmingly romantic in the

manner of your meeting!'

Emily checked the tears, that trembled in her eyes, while she said,

'When my conduct shall deserve this severity, madam, you will do well

to exercise it; till then justice, if not tenderness, should surely

restrain it. I have never willingly offended you; now I have lost my

parents, you are the only person to whom I can look for kindness. Let me

not lament more than ever the loss of such parents.' The last words were

almost stifled by her emotions, and she burst into tears. Remembering

the delicacy and the tenderness of St. Aubert, the happy, happy days

she had passed in these scenes, and contrasting them with the coarse

and unfeeling behaviour of Madame Cheron, and from the future hours

of mortification she must submit to in her presence--a degree of grief

seized her, that almost reached despair. Madame Cheron, more offended

by the reproof which Emily's words conveyed, than touched by the

sorrow they expressed, said nothing, that might soften her grief; but,

notwithstanding an apparent reluctance to receive her niece, she desired

her company.

The love of sway was her ruling passion, and she knew it

would be highly gratified by taking into her house a young orphan, who

had no appeal from her decisions, and on whom she could exercise without

controul the capricious humour of the moment.

On entering the chateau, Madame Cheron expressed a desire, that she

would put up what she thought necessary to take to Tholouse, as she

meant to set off immediately. Emily now tried to persuade her to defer

the journey, at least till the next day, and, at length, with much

difficulty, prevailed.

The day passed in the exercise of petty tyranny on the part of Madame

Cheron, and in mournful regret and melancholy anticipation on that of

Emily, who, when her aunt retired to her apartment for the night, went

to take leave of every other room in this her dear native home, which

she was now quitting for she knew not how long, and for a world, to

which she was wholly a stranger. She could not conquer a presentiment,

which frequently occurred to her, this night--that she should never more

return to La Vallee. Having passed a considerable time in what had been

her father's study, having selected some of his favourite authors, to

put up with her clothes, and shed many tears, as she wiped the dust from

their covers, she seated herself in his chair before the reading desk,

and sat lost in melancholy reflection, till Theresa opened the door to

examine, as was her custom before she went to bed, if was all safe. She

started, on observing her young lady, who bade her come in, and then

gave her some directions for keeping the chateau in readiness for her

reception at all times.




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