96 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



nana trees ; and, owing to the flillnefs of the nighty 

 we diftinâily heard their converfation, which I (hall 

 never forget. 



Paul faid to her : ** I underftand, madam, that 

 *' you are to take your departure hence in three 

 " days : have you no apprehenfion, at the thought 



** of expofing yourfelf to the dangers of the Sea 



" the Sea, at which you ufed to be fo terrified." 

 "It is my duty, you know,'* replied Firginia, 

 " to obey the commands of my relations." " You 

 " are going, then," faid Paul, " to quit our fo- 

 ** ciety for a female relation, who lives far from 

 *' hence, and whom you have never feen !"— — « 

 " Alasl" returned Virginia, "had 1 been permitted 

 " to follow my own inclinations, I fliould have re- 

 ** mained here all my life long j but my mother is 

 *' of a contrary opinion, and my confeffor has told 

 ** me it is the will of God, that I fhould depart; 

 •' that life is a ftate of probation... .Alas ! how fe* 

 /* vere that probation is 1" 



" How," replied Patil, " fo many reafons tode- 

 " termine thee to leave us, and not one to induce 

 ** thee to remain ! Ah ! of the former, there is ftill 

 " one, which you have notmentioaed : the attrac- 

 ** tions which wealth holds out are powerful. You 

 " will foon find, in a world entirely new to you, 

 " another perfon on whom to beftow the name of 



" brother. 



