“I was eighteen when my grandfather removed ms from the convent, although I protested that I would gladly stay there till I got married.  I was fondly attached to my aunt, who did all in her power after my mother’s death to make me forget the double loss I had sustained.  My leaving the convent altered the whole course of my existence, and as it was not a voluntary action I have nothing to repent of.

“My grandfather placed me with his sister-in-law, the Marchioness X——­ o, who gave me up half her house.  I had a governess, a companion, maids, pages, and footmen, all of whom, though in my service, were under the orders of my governess, a well-born lady, who was happily honest and trustworthy.

“A year after I had left the convent my grandfather came and told me in the presence of my governess that Count Fl——­ had asked my hand for his son, who was coming from Madrid end would arrive that day.

“‘What answer did you give him, dear grandfather?’

“’That the marriage would be acceptable to the whole of the nobility, and also to the king and royal family.’

“’But are you quite sure that the young count will like me and that I shall like the count?’

“’That, my dear daughter, is a matter of course, and there need be no discussion on the subject.’

“’But it is a question in which I am strongly interested, and I should like to consider it very carefully.  We shall see how matters arrange themselves.’

“’You can see each other before deciding, but you must decide all the same.’

“‘I hope so, but let us not be too certain.  We shall see.’

“As soon as my grandfather had gone I told my governess that I had made up my mind never to give my hand save where I had given my heart, and that I should only marry a man whose character and tastes I had carefully studied.  My governess gave me no answer, and on my pressing her to give me her opinion, she replied that she thought her best course would be to keep silence on such a delicate question.  This was as much as to tell me that she thought I was right; at least I persuaded myself that it was so.

“The next day I went to the convent, and told the story to my aunt, the abbess, who listened to me kindly and said it was to be hoped that I should fall in love with him and he with me, but that even if it were otherwise she was of opinion that the marriage would take place, as she had reasons for believing that the scheme came from the Princess of Brazil, who favoured Count Fl——.

“Though this information grieved me, I was still glad to hear it, and my resolution never to marry save for love was all the more strongly confirmed.