PAUL AND VIRGINIA. 8^ 



entirely on her fupport, every thing operated as an 

 inducement to remain where (he was, without un- 

 jeafinefs for the prefent, or anxiety for the future. 



Madame de la "Tour, perceiving that her con- 

 fidence had produced an efFeâ:, entirely different 

 from what fhe had expecled, faid to her : " My 

 ** dear child, I have no wilh to conftrain your in- 

 ** clinations ; confider the matter at your leifure ; 

 *' but conceal your love from Paul : when the 

 *' heart of a young woman is gained, her lover has 

 *' nothing more to afk of her." 



Toward the evening, while (he was alone with 

 Virginia, a tall man, drefled in a blue caflbck, 

 came in. He was an ecclefiaflical miffionary of the 

 ifland, and confeffor to Madame de la Tour and 

 and Virginia, and had been fent thither by the 

 Governor. *' My children," faid he, as he en- 

 tered, " there is wealth in ftore for you now, 

 " thank Heaven ! You have, at length, the means 

 *' of gratifying your benevolent feelings, by ad- 

 *' miniftering afiiftance to the wretched. I well 

 ** know what the Governor has faid to you, and 

 '* your reply. My good madam, the ftate of your 

 *' health obliges you to remain here ; but as for 

 " you, young lady, you have no excufe. We 

 ** muft obey the will of Providence, in refpeding 

 •* our old felations, however unjuft they may have 



" been 



