right you assume to yourself to be master of my destiny, I know not; but of this you may be assured; no force shall prevail upon me to act contrary to my own inclinations and judgment; and since I am not your niece, you have no legal authority over me."
Weimar looked confounded at her spirit, the other stared with surprise; all were mute for some time, at length he said, "You have taken up unjust prejudices, Matilda; but you will find I am still your best friend." "Then (replied she) I shall truly rejoice, for it is grievous to me to think ill of any one, much more of him, whom, for many years, I was accustomed to think my nearest relation and protector. If you are sincere, permit me to write to the Marchioness that I am in your care, to dispel the anxiety she will naturally feel on my account." "We will think of that (said he) when we are settled."
This evasion proved to her she had not much favour to expect.
She was entirely ignorant of the road they took; she knew it was different from the Paris route, and had no opportunity of asking a single question, much less of dropping her letter; as the chaise being their own, they sat in it whilst they procured horses at the different post-houses, and at night stopped at a miserable hut, where they got only a few eggs and a little milk; no beds were to be had, and they were obliged to remain four hours in the chaise, until they could enter the next town. The distress of mind, with fatigue and want of rest, overpowered Matilda; as they were changing horses, she fainted. Weimar was frightened; he had her taken out of the carriage, laid upon a bed, and every method used to restore her. It was a long time before she recovered, and then she was so weak and exhausted, that he was at a loss how to get her on. Some wine and toasted bread was given to her, and he quitted the room a moment, to order refreshments into the chaise: she
