ABSTRACT
Eight days had elapsed with unusual swi ness, since Malvina had remained in her own apartment, during which time, she had never once seen Mrs. Burton. She was fearful she might give o ence, if she any longer secluded herself, and determined to make her a visit before breakfast. – She went to her chamber, and knocking at her door, the maid informed her that Mrs. Burton was then dressing, but would see her in half an hour. Malvina requested they would acquaint her when Mrs. B. was to be visible, and on her return, she passed through the music-room, and seeing some French songs lying near a harp, she stopped to look at them. – e contemplation of these songs in her native language – that language, in which she had expressed her rst sentiments, had so powerful an attraction over her, that she could not resist the impulse of reading them; and that she might understand them better, she seated herself before the harp, and accompanied it with her voice: suddenly she heard the so notes of a German ute, which attended her. – Astonished, she turned her head, and perceived behind her chair, a young man whom she had never seen. She blushed, and would have retired, but he intreated she would not deprive him of the pleasure of hearing her sing. She raised her eyes to him who thus intreated, and cast them down immediately, blushing a deeper shade. It was one of those countenances where the re of wit was tempered, and united with sensibility, and which could not be looked at twice with impunity.
