y to receive a formal proposal from him in my behalf; but gradually,
why I know not, it gave her no further concern, and I was permitted to
leave the room, and do as I pleased without being subjected to any
remarks.

Such was the state of affairs when the Paris season drew near. Madame
Bathurst had been induced to remain in Brittany, and was continually
with us. She had often asked me to come over to England, and pass a few
weeks with them, and I had jokingly replied that I would. One morning
Madame d'Albret said to me--

"My dear Valerie, Madame Bathurst has again requested me to allow you to
go to England with her. Now if you think that you would like to pass a
short time with her, instead of remaining at Paris during the season, I
really have no objection, if it would give you pleasure."

"My dear madame, I was only joking when I said so."

"Well, you have made Madame Bathurst think you were in earnest, my
dear," replied she; "and I thought so too, and have this morning
promised that you shall go with her. I thought you would perfect
yourself in English, and it would be a good opportunity of relieving you
for a short time of your constant attendance upon me; so, my dear
Valerie, I advise you to go. It will amuse you, and a little change
will do you good: besides, my dear, I perceive that the attentions of
Monsieur de G--are not agreeable to you, and it is as well to break it
off by a short absence."

"I shall not dispute your wishes, madame," replied I, mournfully, for my
heart misgave me, why I knew not, "but if I do go, it will be to oblige
you, and not because I really wish it."

"My dear Valerie, I think it will be for the best, and therefore you
will oblige me. I have promised for you, and I should be sorry to have
to recall my promise--so consent, my dear, and I will write to Madame
Bathurst, that she may be prepared to receive you."

"Certainly, madame," replied I, "your wishes will ever be a law to me:"
and so saying, I left the room, and going to my own chamber, I threw
myself down on the bed, and wept bitterly without knowing why.

About ten days after this, Madame Bathurst called for me to take me to
the chateau of Monsieur de G--'s father, where I was to remain till the
next morning, when we were to post to Paris. It was with great pain
that I quitted Madame d'Albret, but her kindness to me appeared to have
increased rather than diminished, after the proposal of our short
separation. "Go