--On our first
acquaintance she looked and spoke with greater softness, and I can
impute it to no other motive than the pride of beauty, that this sudden
change has happened.
All the time he was speaking, the soul of Melanthe grew more and more
fired with jealousy.--It is natural for every one to imagine whatever
they like is agreeable to others. The distaste which Louisa had on many
occasions testified for the count, seemed now to have been only
affected:--the melancholy she had been in, and the deep resvery she
remembered she had fallen into when first she informed her of their
amour, joined to convince her, that the advice she gave proceeded from a
motive very different from what she pretended.
The wily count saw into the workings of her soul; and while he seemed as
if he would not discover the whole of his sentiments for fear of
disobliging her, threw out the plainest hints, that Louisa had made him
advances which would have been very flattering to a heart not
pre-engaged, till Melanthe, not able to contain her rage, broke out into
the fevered invectives against the innocent Louisa.--The ungrateful
wretch! cried she, how dare she presume to envy, much less to offer an
interruption to my pleasures!--What, have I raised the little wretch to
such a forgetfulness of herself, that she pretends to rival her mistress
and benefactress! In the height of her resentment, she related to the
count in what manner she had taken her into her service; but that
finding her, as she imagined, a girl of prudence, she had made her a
companion during her travels, and as such treated her with respect, and
made others do so too;--but, said she, I will reduce her to what she
was, and since she knows not how to prize the honour of my friendship,
make her feel the severities of servitude.
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