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panted for gayer scenes than her native village afforded.

"Of what use (thought she, as she contemplated her lovely face in the brook near her father's cottage), is it, that I am as handsome as the Countess Durazzi, if my days are to pass in obscurity, and to be embittered by toil? but why should it be so? why cannot I go to Rome? I may attract the notice of some rich and powerful signor, and spite of poverty and obscurity, I may yet outshine the haughty countess, who viewed me with such disdain, while I was employed in decking her boudoir with flowers."

The Countess Durazzi, whose beauty and grandeur had so disturbed the mind of Claudia, was a noble Sicilian, whose husband had lately purchased a palace in the neighbourhood of Claudia's parents; gentleness and dignity were equally the characteristics of the couns tess; but though she was pleased with the uncommon beauty of the young

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peasant, she was disgusted with her bold and assured airs; and hence proceeded those glances of disapprobation, which had sunk deeply into the mind of Claudia, and inspired her with the design of going to Rome.

To a mind possessed of any degree of feminine delicacy, the thought of quitting for ever her parental roof, and throwing herself destitute upon the world, would have been dreadful; but Claudia was determined to emerge from obscurity, or perish in the attempt. She privately quitted her father's cottage, and took the road to Rome. Faint, weary, and exhausted by fatigue and want of nourishment, she at last reached that city, and the ambitious resolution which had prompted her journey, had nearly sunk under the difficulties which she had encountered. Though almost sinking for want of food, she was yet too proud to beg, and she was destitute of money to purchase any: she seated

herself under a portico, and burst inte

tears.

The Signor Montoni was passing at the moment, and the evident distress of the young peasant attracted his attention. In the soft accents of compassion, he asked the cause of her unhappiness; but Claudia, young as she was, was too artful to own all the truth. A few minutes thought enabled her to frame a story, that completely imposed upon the benevolent and unsuspecting Montoni. She was, she said, an or phan, and destitute of any means of support; she came to Rome to seek a service, but her money was exhausted, and she knew not what to do.

"Poor child (said the signor), thou shalt not want the shelter of a roof; come with me, and I will provide for thee." Claudia gladly obeyed, and followed the signor to his home. He called the person who superintended the affairs of his household, and gave her a charge to be kind to the young peasant.

peasant, she was disgusted with her bold and assured airs; and hence proceeded those glances of disapprobation, which had sunk deeply into the mind of Claudia, and inspired her with the design of going to Rome.

To a mind possessed of any degree of feminine delicacy, the thought of quitting for ever her parental roof, and throwing herself destitute upon the world, would have been dreadful; but Claudia was determined to emerge from obscurity, or perish in the attempt. She privately quitted her father's cottage, and took the road to Rome. Faint, weary, and exhausted by fatigue and want of nourishment, she at last reached that city, and the ambitious resolution which had prompted her journey, had nearly sunk under the difficulties which she had encountered. Though almost sinking for want of food, she was yet too proud to beg, and she was destitute of money to purchase any: she seated

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