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For her the spouse prepares the bridal ring, For her white virgins hymeneal sing; "To sounds of heav'nly harp she dies away, "And melts in visions of eternal day."

The expence of the entertainment is always defrayed by the nun, and Madame d'Arrambert had been very liberal to her friend on this occasion; she and her lovely daughters were of course invited, and the priest from the neighbouring convent, with a few friends, composed the party.

The English, who were of the Baroness's party, returned in a most melancholy state of mind it appeared to them as one of the most sorrowful sights which they had ever beheld; and they were shocked to think that the young and beautiful Josephine was in a few years to go through the same awful cere

mony.

They expressed these sentiments to the Count de Belgrade, who was really a fine young man, and for whom Colonel

Honeywood had a great esteem, which was however materially lessened when he heard the Count declare that he thought it very proper to sacrifice children to the life of a cloister when the parents could not give them ample fortunes without injuring the dignity of their family by lessening the son's inheritance.

This induced Major Godefroï to inquire whether Sophia de Colbert had been the victim of family pride. The Count assured him that her seclusion proceeded from choice; that her father had an immense fortune, and only two children. Sophia lost her mother when she was an infant, had been educated at the same convent with the Baroness d'Arrambert, and had resided much with her friend since she married. To the great surprise of every one, she determined to leave the world: every person was ignorant of her intention till a few weeks before she entered the convent of Notre Dame she had always a pensive turn of

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mind, and was fond of retirement; but the general opinion was, that she had a partiality for a young man, who was drowned about two years before. To dissipate their melancholy reflections, the gentlemen took a walk into the country, and proposed to pass by the house of the Baron de Colbert to inquire after his health. They were concerned to hear that he had continued for some time in fits, and was supposed to be in a very dangerous state, his son having just sent for additional medical assistance.

On their return to Antwerp, they found Madame d'Arrambert alone; she had left her daughters in the convent, as. she proposed returning to Brussels the next day. Her deportment was more grave than usual, and the traces of recent tears were visible on her still beauteous face.

The Major inquired how she had left St. Therese. "To all appearance," she said, "perfectly happy. Indeed, I am con

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vinced that Sophia has chosen a life best suited to her character and disposition; but I confess I could not help being much affected at taking my leave of her: my poor Josephine I fear is not so well calculated to find happiness in the seclusion of a convent as my friend.”

The party called at the convent the following morning, when they saw St. Therése and Mademoiselle d'Arrambert. Hubertine was to be married in three months; but though the Count de Belgrade took his leave of her with great politeness, yet any person might discover that this was to be a match of convenience, not affection.

Soon afterwards Major Godefroï made his friend acquainted with what had passed between him and Mademoiselle d'Arrambert; and it was decided that Colonel Honeywood should speak to the lady's father on the subject. The Major asked for no fortune, but requested that Josephine might have what had

been intended for her sister. The Baron d'Arrambert made no objection, and consented to what, he was told, would make one child happy by marrying the man of her choice, and the other equally so by giving her the option of remaining in the world, or ending her days in Notre Dame. However, when Madame d'Arrambert was consulted, she gave a decided negative; she had rather follow her child to the grave than see her united to a heretic. As this objection was insurmountable, Major Godefroï contrived to see Hubertine, and inform her of the ill-success of his application. She really disliked her cousin, the Count de Belgrade, and a little persuasion induced her to elope with the Major. Several of the British officers assisted, measures being taken to elude the vigilance of the abbess, and Hubertine was conveyed out of the Emperor's dominions. Arriving at Amsterdam, she was married to Major Godefroï, who imme

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