ing the
amount of his debt to her, and that none had since seen or heard of him.

From that day to this I have never once beheld him. The poor professor
lost even the little money due to him for his lessons--so true is
it, that in a man of Monsieur Margot's temper, even interest is a
subordinate passion to vanity.

CHAPTER XVIII.

It is good to be merry and wise, It's good to be honest and true; It is
good to be off with the old love Before you be on with the new.--Song.

One morning, when I was riding to the Bois de Boulogne (the celebrated
place of assignation), in order to meet Madame d'Anville, I saw a lady
on horseback, in the most imminent danger of being thrown. Her horse
had taken fright at an English tandem, or its driver, and was plunging
violently; the lady was evidently much frightened, and lost her presence
of mind more and more every moment. A man who was with her, and
who could scarcely manage his own horse, appeared to be exceedingly
desirous, but perfectly unable, to assist her; and a great number
of people were looking on, doing nothing, and saying "Good God, how
dangerous!"

I have always had a great horror of being a hero in scenes, and a still
greater antipathy to "females in distress." However, so great is the
effect of sympathy upon the most hardened of us, that I stopped for
a few moments, first to look on, and secondly to assist. Just when a
moment's delay might have been dangerous, I threw myself off my horse,
seized her's with one hand, by the rein which she no longer had the
strength to hold, and assisted her with the other to dismount. When all
the peril was over, Monsieur, her companion, managed also to find his
legs; and I did not, I confess, wonder at his previous delay, when
I discovered that the lady in danger had been his wife. He gave me a
profusion of thanks, and she made them more than complimentary by the
glance which accompanied them. Their carriage was in attendance at a
short distance behind. The husband went for it--I remained with the
lady.

"Mr. Pelham," she said, "I have heard much of you from my friend Madame
D'Anville, and have long been anxious for your acquaintance. I did not
think I should commence it with so great an obligation."

Flattered by being already known by name, and a subject of previous
interest, you may be sure that I tried every method to improve the
opportunity I had gained; and when I handed my new acquaintance into
her carriage, my pressu