"Poor unfortunate woman, said the Countess who, with Laura, was extreme

ly affected at her recital," "what is the amount of your debt.".

"Ten pounds," answered the woman, "and we could not, notwithstanding our greatest efforts, raise the money! We have seen better days, ladies," said she, sobbing, "which makes me feel my present circumstances with greater poignancy: my father was a respectable farmer, and had a very comfortable means of subsistence; when he died poor Belson succeeded him in his farm, for some time we went on tolerably well but the expences attending the increase of our family, and many bad debts which we unavoidably had, brought on

great anxiety, and as he was of a delicate constitution he was soon reduced to his present condition."

The amiable Countess then took from her purse two five pound. notes, which she gave the woman, and Laura contributed to alleviate their present exigencies.

Mrs. Belson was overwhelmed with gratitude, she could only express her thanks to her generous benefactresses by tears.

After making the poor woman as comfortable as possible in her present situation, they departed, for the storm had by that time pretty well subsided.

G

The Count, on hearing of the evening's adventure, walked to Mrs. Belson's the

following morning, in order to enquire further into her misfortunes, and with a generosity truly characteristic of his nature, effectually relieved their présent wants, placed their youngest children in a school, and put them in a way to obtain a decent livelihood.

CHAP. XV.

"Heaven sends misfortunes-why should we repine !

'Tis Heaven has brought me to the state you see, And your condition may be soon like mine, The child of sorrow-and of misery."

As the Count d'Alembert was one morning returning from the library in the High-Street, his attention was arrested by the voice of one of his own countrymen, who was apparently in great distress, and asking each passenger, for pity's sake, to give him but one morsel of dry bread.

"From whence do you come?" asked Eugene. "Ob, monsieur," said the poor man, the big round tears running down his furrowed cheeks, "I was born in Lyons, and settled in business there, but during the revolution, as I was publicly known to espouse the cause of the King, I was obliged to emigrate.

As soon as I landed here, I set off immediately to London, where I obtained the situation of French preceptor in a school near town, I remained here some time, when the daughter of the schoolmaster came home.

I saw and loved her; she returned my affection; and contrary to the wishes of all her friends I soon married her;