14 THE FLOWERS

Madame Bulé, than she began to disturb the
peace of its inmates.

All those accomplishments which delight
the senses were what were chiefly held in
esteem by Mademoiselle ;.she had no value
for the qualities of the heart, and no discern-
ment of retiring and humble merit: hence
her favours were ever lavished on the vain
and frivolous, provided they were possessed
of such qualities as she admired : whilst some
of the most amiable young people in the
seminary were continually exposed either to
her ridicule or her reproaches.

In consequence of this unjust conduct, she
presently raised a very unamiable feeling
among the young people, many of whom began
to form false estimates of each other’s merits,
and to hate and envy those individuals among
their companions who possessed any of those
qualities or distinctions, whether mental, per-
sonal, or accidental, which were calculated to
insure the favour of Mademoiselle. And
then it was that I first observed a change in
the air and appearance of the young people,
when they came out to amuse themselves in