"Does your letter require a written answer? (again asked the Countess, in an accent of surprise) young ladies should be very careful how they write to gentlemen."
Madeline dropped the pen she had taken up. She began to think that to write to de Sevignie, without consulting the Countess, or showing her his letter, was not only a breach of respect to her, but of duty to her father, who had put her under the care of his friend, with a firm conviction, that she would never follow her own judgment without having it first sanctioned by hers. She took up the letter, and, going to the Countess, put it into her hand. "Will you have the goodness, Madame (said she) to tell me what answer I shall send?"
"It does not require a moment's consideration to determine that (cried the Countess); bless me, child, could you ever imagine this letter required more than a verbal answer? tell Monsieur de Sevignie's man (continued she turning to the servant), that Mam'selle
