"There is very little conversation worth writing," replied her mother, "and of course little worth reading;" but, continued she with a smile, "I must own that I should be gratified, if you would so far indulge my curiosity as to permit me to see one of Miss Henderson's letters, I will not dictate which, one will answer my purpose as well as another. Where the correspondence is so frequent and copious, it must display or form character, and I am interested to know what kind of a correspondent you have." "I will show you any or all of the letters," replied Clara, who knew her mother's character of mind too well to attempt to elude her penetration; "will you take the trouble to read this, which I have received this morning. Miss Henderson is a very kind friend, and perhaps she is disposed to be rather too flattering; but I can assure you, my dear mother, that, though I am pleased to have her good opinion, I am not rendered vain by her praises. It is her peculiar manner to compliment." Clara presented the letter, Signora Rivolta read it with great attention and with much seriousness; occasionally indeed she smiled, but that smile was presently checked. Clara watched her mother's countenance with great anxiety, observed its changes with much emotion, and was very much hurt and abashed by the look with which her mother returned her the letter when she had read it through. "My dear Clara, I must have some conversation with you on the subject of this correspondence. I cannot flatter you quite so adroitly as Miss Henderson does, but I have a much higher opinion of you than she has, for I do assure you that I would never have insulted your understanding so much as to send you such a ridiculous epistle as this. The language of this letter is foolish in the extreme. I hope your conversation was not in this style. You may well say that the letters are miscellaneous. Now my child, as I can only have your welfare in view, will you be kind enough so far to favor me with your confidence as to indulge me with a sight of some more of Miss Henderson's letters. Indeed, I acknowledge to you that I am anxious to see them all: from this specimen I could wish that you had never received any."