Yes; since yesterday morning I have dreaded my uncle's arrival.

Previously I implored it of Heaven as the choicest blessing, and now the thought of it makes me tremble." "Have you then heard from your uncle ?" "Alas! my friend, at the very moment when all seemed the brightest, when I was thanking God for a happiness which I thought already mine, a dark cloud comes to overshadow my life.

I seem even now to hear my uncle's voice pronouncing the cruel sentence which condemns me to a life-long sorrow." The young girl turned deadly pale, and anxiously awaited an explanation of the mystery.
"My beloved Mary," he whispered, "it is a secret which I can only confide to you in part, and which in strict honor I should perhaps conceal entirely.

Four weeks ago a merchant, highly esteemed, was left by a curious train of circumstances without funds, and he begged me to lend him ten thousand crowns.

Should I refuse his request, the credit of his house would be irretrievably ruined.