concurred to persuade me that somehow or other my destiny is linked
with something relating to him."

"Lord, Madam! how should that be?" said Bianca; "I have always
heard that your family was in no way related to his: and I am sure
I cannot conceive why my Lady, the Princess, sends you in a cold
morning or a damp evening to pray at his tomb: he is no saint by
the almanack. If you must pray, why does she not bid you address
yourself to our great St. Nicholas? I am sure he is the saint I
pray to for a husband."

"Perhaps my mind would be less affected," said Matilda, "if my
mother would explain her reasons to me: but it is the mystery she
observes, that inspires me with this--I know not what to call it.
As she never acts from caprice, I am sure there is some fatal
secret at bottom--nay, I know there is: in her agony of grief for
my brother's death she dropped some words that intimated as much."

"Oh! dear Madam," cried Bianca, "what were they?"

"No," said Matilda, "if a parent lets fall a word, and wishes it
recalled, it is not for a child to utter it."

"What! was she sorry for what she had said?" asked Bianca; "I am
sure, Madam, you may trust me--"

"With my own little secrets when I have any, I may," said Matilda;
"but never with my mother's: a child ought to have no ears or eyes
but as a parent directs."