er
daughter--it is music. Such a good performer she was in her time! But
the Countess' box is always full of young butterflies, and the Countess'
mother would be in the way; the young lady is talked about already as a
great flirt. So the poor mother never goes to the Italiens."

"Mme. de Saint-Hereen has delightful 'At Homes' for her mother," said a
rosebud. "All Paris goes to her salon.

"And no one pays any attention to the Marquise," returned the parasite.

"The fact is that Mme. d'Aiglemont is never alone," remarked a coxcomb,
siding with the young women.

"In the morning," the old observer continued in a discreet voice, "in
the morning dear Moina is asleep. At four o'clock dear Moina drives
in the Bois. In the evening dear Moina goes to a ball or to the
Bouffes.--Still, it is certainly true that Mme. d'Aiglemont has the
privilege of seeing her dear daughter while she dresses, and again at
dinner, if dear Moina happens to dine with her mother. Not a week ago,
sir," continued the elderly person, laying his hand on the arm of the
shy tutor, a new arrival in the house, "not a week ago, I saw the poor
mother, solitary and sad, by her own fireside.--'What is the matter?' I
asked. The Marquise looked up smiling, but I am quite sure that she had
been crying.--'I was thinking that it is a strange thing that I should
be left alone when I have had five children,' she said, 'but that is
our destiny! And besides, I am happy when I know that Moina is enjoying
herself.'--She could say that to me, for I knew her husband when he was
alive. A poor stick he was, and uncommonly lucky to have such a wife; it
was certainly owing to her that he was made a peer of France, and had a
place at Court under Charles X."

Yet such mistaken ideas get about in social gossip, and such mischief
is done by it, that the historian of manners is bound to exercise his
discretion, and weigh the assertions so recklessly made. After all, who
is to say that either mother or daughter was right or wrong? There is
but One who can read and judge their hearts! And how often does He wreak
His vengeance in the family circle, using throughout all time children
as His instruments against their mothers, and fathers against their
sons, raising up peoples against kings, and princes against peoples,
sowing strife and division everywhere? And in the world of ideas, are
not opinions and feelings expelled by new feelings and opinions, much
as withered leaves are thrust