ery high for France; but there is absolutely every
comfort. The arrangements are precisely like England. She has lived in
England for two years, and knows what English young ladies look for; and
the house is positively English. I suppose you could introduce a few
English pupils."

"No," I answered, "I am afraid I could not. I am sure I could not."

"That of course must be considered in the premium," she continued; "if
you could have introduced, say, six pupils, the premium would be low. I
do not think my friend would take one penny less than twenty pounds for
the first year, and ten for the second."

The tears started to my eyes. I had felt so sure of going if I would pay
ten pounds, that I was quite unprepared for this disappointment. There
was still my diamond ring left; but how to dispose of it, for any thing
like its value, I did not know. It was in my purse now, with all my
small store of money, which I dared not leave behind me in my lodgings.

"What were you prepared to give?" asked Mrs. Wilkinson, while I
hesitated.

"The clerk at Ridley's office told me the premium would be ten pounds,"
I answered;

"I do not see how I can give more."

"Well," she said, after musing a little, while I watched her face
anxiously, "it is time this child went. She has been here a month,
waiting for somebody to take her down to Noireau. I will agree with you,
and will explain it to Madame Perrier. How soon could you go?"

"I should like to go to-morrow," I replied, feeling that the sooner I
quitted London the better. Mrs. Wilkinson's steady eyes fastened upon me
again with sharp curiosity.

"Have you references, miss?" she asked.

"No," I faltered, my hope sinking again before this old difficulty.

"It will be necessary then," she said, "for you to give the money to me,
and I will forward it to Madame Perrier. Pardon, miss, but you perceive
I could not send a teacher to them unless I knew that she could pay the
money down. There is my commission to receive the money for my friend."

She gave me a paper written in French, of which I could read enough to
see that it was a sort of official warrant to receive accounts for
Monsieur Perrier, _avocat_, and his wife. I did not waver any longer.
The prospect seemed too promising for me to lose it by any irresolution.
I drew out my purse, and laid down two out of the three five-pound notes
left me. She gave me a formal receipt in the names of Emile and Louise
Perrier, and her so