St. ***

Ihave been very uneasy these two days past, my dear child. Miss Bridget has been dangerously ill with a sore throat. The day before yesterday she was blooded for the third time; and at night Adelaide came into my room with tears in her eyes, telling me that Miss Bridget was worse. I beg, Mamma, added Adelaide, you will permit me to sit up with her to-night, for it is of great consequence that she should take the medicine which the Physician has just ordered her every hour; and it is impossible to trust to the care of a nurse or a chamber-maid. Very well, interrupted I, I consent to your sitting up to night: to-morrow I shall watch in my turn. Adelaide went out of the room, and I remained alone with Madame de Limours. What, said she to me, do you permit Adelaide to sit up a whole night! … At her age all young people go to balls at night; so … but Miss Bridget has a fever … Miss Bridget's disorder is not catching; besides, to save my daughter a little fatigue, and even a slight fever, I would not prevent her discharging a duty … Yet what could she do more for you? I do not know; and I flatter myself she herself does not; but, the more gratitude and attachment I see in her to her Governess, the more I shall depend on her tenderness to me. According to this manner of thinking, I have reason to be satisfied; for Miss Bridget has received from Adelaide the most tender marks of affection. She would not suffer her to pass the whole night with her. – Adelaide, to satisfy her, pretended to leave her at three o'clock; but concealed herself behind her bed, that she might watch the attention of the nurse.