Share of understanding, thought that when he should
come to a more near acquaintance with the perfections of Charlotta, the
loose airs of the other would appear in their true colours, and become
as odious to him as once they had been infatuating.
Finding him so well inclined to her purpose, she took upon herself the
care of introducing him, as it was indeed easy to do, considering the
intimacy there was between her and Charlotta. That young lady received
him as the brother of a person she extremely loved; and little
suspecting the design on which he came, treated him with a gaity which
heightened her charms, and at the same time flattered his hopes, that
there was something in his person not disagreeable to her.
Mademoiselle de Coigney took care that every visit he made to Charlotta
should be reported to de Olonne, which still heightening her resentment,
together with his little assiduity to moderate it, made a total breach
between them, to the great satisfaction of all his friends in general.
Those of them whom mademoiselle had acquainted with the stratagem by
which she brought it about, praised her wit and address; and as they
knew the family and fortune of mademoiselle Charlotta, encouraged her to
do every thing in her power for turning that into reality which she at
first had made use of only as a feint for the reclaiming of her brother.
