Oh, a mother's watchful providence is of inestimable importance to a young wife!" Fanny felt her eyes grow burning hot, and her face flushed purple; she could not help it.

Alas! to speak of a mother before her was to cause her the most terrible torture, the most piercing shame! Flora convulsively pressed the young lady's hand in her own, and, as if simply continuing the conversation, she said-- "Yes, indeed; nothing makes up for the loss of a mother." Shortly afterwards old Karpathy and Dame Marion repaired to the family archives, where the family fiscal and Mr.Varga were awaiting them, in order to discuss their eternal lawsuit once again for the hundredth time or so, and the two young women were left alone.
The door had scarce closed behind Dame Marion when Fanny, with the most passionate impetuosity, suddenly seized Flora's hand with both her own, and before the latter had had time to prevent her, pressed the pretty little hand to her lips and covered it with kisses--kisses that came straight from her burning heart.

Again and again she heaped her kisses upon it, but could not utter a word.
"Ah, my God! what are you doing ?" said Flora; and thus, in order to prevent Fanny from repeating her action, she took her in her arms, kissed her face, and compelled her to do the same.
"Oh!" sobbed Fanny, "I know that you are the ministering angel of the whole country-side.

As soon as I had arrived here, I heard them talking of you, and from what they said I could well picture to myself what you were.

You must have already guessed that in me you would find a poor creature, who was also in need of your charity; but the greatness of that benefit only I could know, only I could feel.