e mind feeding on itself with
the rapacity of a cormorant, when the conscience quickens its activity
and feeds its longings. Happily for Adrienne, she had too many positive
cares, to be enabled to waste many minutes either in retrospection, or
in endeavors to conjecture the future. Far--far more happily for
herself, her conscience was clear, for never had a purer mind, or a
gentler spirit dwelt in female breast. Still she could blame her own
oversight, and it was days before her self-upbraidings, for thus
trifling with what she conceived to be the resources of her beloved
grandmother, were driven from her thoughts by the pressure of other and
greater ills.

Were I to last a thousand years, and rise to the dignity of being the
handkerchief that the Grand Turk is said to toss toward his favorite, I
could not forget the interest with which I accompanied Adrienne to the
door of her little apartment, in the entresol. She was in the habit of
hiring little Nathalie, the porter's daughter, to remain with her
grandmother during her own necessary but brief absences, and this girl
was found at the entrance, eager to be relieved.

"Has my grandmother asked for me, Nathalie?" demanded Adrienne,
anxiously, the moment they met.

"Non, mademoiselle; madame has done nothing but sleep, and I was
getting SO tired!"

The sou was given, and the porter's daughter disappeared, leaving
Adrienne alone in the ante-chamber. The furniture of this little
apartment was very respectable, for Madame de la Rocheaimard, besides
paying a pretty fair rent, had hired it just after the revolution, when
the prices had fallen quite half, and the place had, by no means, the
appearance of that poverty which actually reigned within. Adrienne went
through the ante-chamber, which served also as a salle a manger, and
passed a small saloon, into the bed-chamber of her parent. Here her
mind was relieved by finding all right. She gave her grandmother some
nourishment, inquired tenderly as to her wishes, executed several
little necessary offices, and then sat down to work for her own daily
bread; every moment being precious to one so situated. I expected to be
examined--perhaps caressed, fondled, or praised, but no such attention
awaited me. Adrienne had arranged every thing in her own mind, and I
was to be produced only at those extra hours in the morning, when she
had been accustomed to take exercise in the open air. For the moment I
was laid aside, though in a