146 FLORA HISTORICA. 



bly have passed unnoticed, had not the flirtation of 

 her gay cousin with a dashing colonel, who was 

 more celebrated for his conquests in the drawing- 

 room than in the field of battle, attracted the notice 

 of the Count so as to make his uneasiness visible, 

 which the amiable Charlotte, ever studious of 

 Amelia's real happiness, wished to amuse, and to 

 call back the mind of her cousin, demanded the 

 verse for the Rose. The Count saw this affectionate 

 trait in Charlotte's conduct, took out his pencil, and 

 wrote for the Rose, 



Ellc ne vit qu' itn joitr, et ne plait qiCxin moment, 



which he gave to the lovely daughter, at the same 

 time presenting the humble cousin with this line on 

 the Mignonette : 



Ses qualites surpassent ses charmes. 



Amelia's pride was roused, and she retaliated by 

 her attention to the colonel and neglect of the Count, 

 which she carried so far as to throw herself into 

 the power of a profligate, w'ho brought her to ruin. 

 The Count transferred his affections from beauty 

 to amiability ; and rejoicing in the exchange, and 

 to commemorate the event which had brought about 

 his happiness, and delivered him from a coquette, 

 he added a branch of the Sweet Reseda to the 

 ancient arms of his family, with the motto, 



Voui- qualities surpass your charms. 



