her and sister long opposed his
inclinations: however, he at length prevailed, and entered a regiment
that was ordered on foreign service. The parting between Elizabeth and
Frederic was a melancholy scene: she was long inconsolable for his loss,
but religion, which she had always been taught to consider as the best
comforter of the afflicted, came to her aid, and feeling the necessity
of submission, she determined by active exertions to divert her mind
from past calamities.

It was now that Elizabeth felt the inestimable advantages of _a good
education_; she perfectly understood the English language; her industry
and punctuality procured her many friends, who, young as she was,
entrusted her with the translation of papers of consequence, and the
reward she received for her labour, greatly contributed to the support
of the family. Every instant she could spare from her employment and the
care of their domestic affairs, was devoted to her grandmother. She
nursed her when sick, read aloud for her amusement, and by every kind
attention endeavoured to lessen her regret for the blessings she had
lost. Madame de Joinville has often been heard to declare, that without
the filial affection of her granddaughter she could hardly have
supported her afflictions. The infirmities of age must sometimes render
those advanced in years petulant and capricious: Elizabeth never
murmured when her endeavours to please failed of success; much less did
she irritate her grandmother by contradiction; she patiently submitted
to these trials of her temper, and when evening came, and Madame de
Joinville retired to rest, Elizabeth thought herself amply repaid for
any little disappointments she had encountered during the day, by
receiving her blessing and the assurance of her tenderest love.

Frederic remained two years abroad; whatever he could spare from his own
actual wants he constantly remitted to his sister; but without her
industry they would often have been greatly distressed. At length
Elizabeth's noble and pious conduct was made known to a lady who had
formerly been an intimate acquaintance of Madame de Joinville's family.
Her visits to the old lady gave her constant opportunities of witnessing
the amiable disposition of her granddaughter; and anxious to reward her
virtues, she interested herself so warmly in their concerns, that at
length, through the intercession of some powerful friends, a restitution
of part of M. de Melcour's property