he manner in which the letter
was pressed to Mademoiselle Hennequin's heart, when she had done
reading it the second time.

Just at this instant a servant came to announce Mr. Shoreham's presence
in the "breakfast-room." This was a retired and little frequented part
of the house at that hour, Betts having been shown into it, in
consequence of the preparations that were going on in the proper
reception-rooms.

"Julia, my dear, you will have to go below--although it is at a most
inconvenient moment."

"No, mother--let Mr. Betts Shoreham time his visits better--George, say
that the ladies are ENGAGED."

"That will not do," interrupted the mother, in some concern--"we are
too intimate for such an excuse--would YOU, Mademoiselle Hennequin,
have the goodness to see Mr. Shoreham for a few minutes--you must come
into our American customs sooner or later, and this may be a favorable
moment to commence."

Mrs. Monson laughed pleasantly as she made this request, and her
kindness and delicacy to the governess were too marked and unremitted
to permit the latter to think of hesitating. She had laid her own
handkerchief down at my side, to read the letter, but feeling the
necessity of drying her eyes, she caught me up by mistake, smiled her
assent, and left the apartment.

Mademoiselle Hennequin did not venture below, until she had gone into
her own room. Here she wept freely for a minute or two, and then she
bathed her eyes in cold water, and used the napkin in drying them.
Owing to this circumstance, I was fortunately a witness of all that
passed in her interview with her lover.

The instant Betts Shoreham saw that he was to have an interview with
the charming French girl, instead of with Julia Monson, his countenance
brightened; and, as if supposing the circumstance proof of his success,
he seized the governess' hand, and carried it to his lips in a very
carnivorous fashion. The lady, however, succeeded in retaining her
hand, if she did not positively preserve it from being devoured.

"A thousand, thousand thanks, dearest Mademoiselle Hennequin," said
Betts, in an incoherent, half-sane manner; "you have read my letter,
and I may interpret this interview favorably. I meant to have told all
to Mrs. Monson, had SHE come down, and asked her kind interference--but
it is much, much better as it is."

"You will do well, monsieur, not to speak to Madame Monson on the
subject at all," answered Mademoiselle Hennequin, with an exp