of meeting my sister’s shade beneath the trees. But my hopes being frustrated, I returned to the house with trembling steps.
“I there found many extraordinary circumstances: nobody had thought of supper, which I imagined would have been half over. All the servants were running about in confusion, and were hastening to pack up the clothes and furniture.
“‘Who is going away?’ I demanded.
“‘Why surely, mademoiselle!’ exclaimed the steward, ‘are you not acquainted with his excellency’s wish to have us all?’
“‘Wherefore then?’
“This very night we are to set out for his excellency’s estate.”
“‘Why so?’
“They shrugged their shoulders. I ran into my father’s cabinet, and there found him with his eyes fixed on the ground.
“‘Seraphina’s second prophecy is also accomplished,’ said he to me, ‘though precisely the least likely thing possible.—I am in disgrace.’
“‘What! did she predict this?’
“‘Yes, my child; but I concealed it from you. I resign myself to my fate, and leave others better to fill this perilous post. I am about to retire to my own estates, there to live for you, and to constitute the happiness of my vassals.’
