"'Because she is the richest heiress in France,' replied M. de Maillefort, with an ironical bow to me; 'and in this character Mlle. de Beaumesnil has a right to the most outrageous as well as the most insulting flattery,--insulting, because it is so manifestly untrue, and dictated solely by baseness and cupidity.' "I rose, and left the room, scarcely able to keep back the tears. * * * * * "I cannot forget his words, mother. They are continually ringing in my ears. "M. de Maillefort's remarks were a revelation to me. My eyes were opened. I understand everything now. "The praises of every sort and kind, the attentions and protestations of affection lavished upon me, the sensation I always create at entertainments, even the flattering remarks of my tradespeople, are all addressed to the richest heiress in France. "Ah, mother, it was not without cause that I wrote you of the strange and unpleasant effect it produced upon me when, the day after my arrival in this house, I was so pompously informed that I was the mistress of a colossal fortune. "'It seems to me,' I said to you then,'that I am in the situation of a person who possesses a valuable treasure, and fears that it may be stolen from him at any moment.' "I understand this feeling now. "It was the vague presentiment of this fear and distrust which has pursued me so relentlessly since the truth was thus harshly revealed to me. "The praise bestowed upon me, the protestations of attachment made to me, are due solely to my wealth. "Yes, mother, M. de Maillefort's spiteful remarks have really been productive of a great deal of good, though they did cause me so much pain, for they have enlightened me in regard to the incomprehensible but increasing dislike my guardian and his family were inspiring in my heart. "This revelation at last explains the obsequiousness and servility which surround me on every side. "And now, my dearly beloved mother, my confession becomes a painful one, even when made to thee. It may be because this atmosphere of deceit and adulation in which I am living has already contaminated me, or, perhaps, because I shrink in such dismay from the thought that all this praise and all these demonstrations of affection are due solely to my wealth, but I can scarcely credit so much baseness and deceitfulness, nor can I quite believe that I am so utterly unattractive, or that I am wholly incapable of inspiring any sincere and disinterested affection. "And you see, my dearest mother, I no longer know what to think, not only of other people, but of myself. These doubts, this continual suspicion and distrust, are intolerable. I try in vain to devise some means of discovering the truth. From whom can I expect an honest reply? "Nor is this all. Several recent events have rendered my situation still more trying. "You shall judge of it.