Clara was rather confused, because she was well aware of the rigid and severe judgment of her mother, and she was nearly sure that such a correspondence would not altogether meet her approbation; she replied,
"There are some parts of the letters which treat of literature and science, but they are for the most part miscellaneous: they are a species of written conversation."
"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."
Clara had much tenderness of feeling and great respect and reverence for her mother's superior understanding, and she felt very unpleasantly and painfully at the emotion with which her mother addressed her. Her color rose and fell, and the poor girl burst into tears. It was indeed truly mortifying, after having received such flattering homage from Miss Henderson, to be thus suddenly let down in her own judgment, and be thus brought to feel that she was not quite so superior to the rest of the world as she had been led to suppose herself. Signora Rivolta soothed her and spoke kindly to her. The letters were produced, for they had been carefully laid by as treasures of some value. And let not our readers judge harshly of the inexperienced mind of poor Clara; her very humility made her proud: for not positively thinking very highly of herself, when she found herself flattered and complimented by Miss Henderson, she was unduly exalted and gratified; and she began to fancy that she was indeed something extraordinary, to receive compliments from so accomplished a young lady.
Every one of the letters did Signora Rivolta carefully peruse, having taken them to her own apartment for that purpose: it was a task indeed of some difficulty, and attended with much weariness, but she felt anxious on her daughter's account, and would not relinquish her task till it was completed; and when it was completed, her astonishment was great indeed, that such nonsense could have ever been agreeable to her daughter; but she forgot the love of praise and the insinuations of flattery, how strong their influence is on young and inexperienced minds. When she had made an end of reading, she called Clara to her again, and after giving her own opinion of the character of Miss Henderson's mind, she said,