84 EGLANTINE OR

 

noons, that is to say, she held a book in her hand, but
she read with so little attention that it was impossible
for her to gain the smallest knowledge. So that even at
sixteen she was most inexcusably ignorant. Nothing
had been spared on her education, and yet she had
little or no knowledge of history, geography, grammar,
or orthography. She was equally incompetent ~in
writing, and although she had been ten years learning
arithmetic, she knew so little about it that a child of
seven years could compete with her.

About this time a young Viscount named Arzelle
begged to be introduced to Doralice. He was about
twenty-three years of age, and was as distinguished
for his virtues and character as he was for his noble
birth. He had both personal and worldly attractions,
for he was handsome and rich. He appeared to have
a great wish to make himself agreeable to Doralice
and to gain her esteem. He liked her simple way of
living, her sweetness and equal temper, and could not
help admiring her winning manners and her conyersa-
tion, which was natural, solid, and interesting. He
had met her often at 4 relative’s house, and though
he had paid her several yisits, she never introduced
him to her daughter,

One evening Doralice invited the Viscount to