Reduced by political changes, which have left
me homeless and penniless, I owe everything to you; and so tenderly do
you minister to me, that even in this garret I could still almost
fancy myself the noble Abbess of Vatteville!'
As she spoke, the aged lady raised herself in her old arm-chair, and
throwing back a black veil, disclosed features still beautiful, and a
forehead still free from every wrinkle, and eyes now sparkling with
something of their former brilliancy. She extended her hand to
Margaret, who affectionately kissed it; and then, apprehensive that
further excitement could not but be injurious to her mistress, the
faithful creature endeavoured to divert her thoughts into another
channel, by inviting her to partake of the little feast provided by
the kindness of her employer. Margaret being in the habit of taking
her meals in the house where she worked, the noble Lady Marie Anne
Adelaide de Vatteville was thus usually left alone and unattended, to
eat the scanty fare prescribed by the extreme narrowness of her
resources; so that she now felt quite cheered by the novel comfort,
not merely of the better-spread table, but of the company of her
faithful servant; and it was in an almost mirthful tone she said, when
the repast was ended: 'Margaret, I have a secret to confide to you.
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