remark from her,
as I always considered that you were (and indeed I know you were at one
time), viewed in a very different light, and I was quite mystified.
About a fortnight afterwards Madame d'Albret called upon me and
announced her intended marriage to Monsieur de G--, and requested me to
make her wedding dresses. Here the whole mystery was out, but why,
because she marries Monsieur de G--, you should lose her protection, and
why Monsieur de G--should be so inveterate against you, is more than I
can tell. I have now, my dear mademoiselle, given you a detail of all I
know, and shall be most happy to hear from you if you will please to
write to me, etcetera, etcetera.

"Emile Paon, nee Merce."

Here was a solution of the whole mystery. I read the letter and fell
back on the sofa, gasping for breath. It was some time before I could
recover myself. I was alone in my bedroom, my head and eyes swimming;
but I staggered to the washing-stand, and obtained some water. It was
half-an-hour before I could recall my astonished senses, and then
everything appeared as clear to me as if it had been revealed. Monsieur
de G--'s double attentions; his spiteful look at my refusal; his
occupying himself wholly with Madame d'Albret after I refused him; her
wishing to get rid of me, by sending me to England with Madame Bathurst,
and her subsequent false and evasive conduct. Monsieur de G--had had
his revenge, and gained his point at the same time. He had obtained the
wealth of Madame d'Albret to squander at the gaming-table, and had
contrived, by some means or another, to ruin me in her good opinion. I
perceived at once that all was lost, and when I considered the
awkwardness of my position, I was almost in despair.

CHAPTER SIX.

As I continued for more than an hour on the sofa, gloomily passing in
review my short career, my present position, and occasionally venturing
a surmise upon the future, a feeling which I had not had before,--one
which had hitherto been latent--pride, gradually was awakened in my
bosom, and as it was aroused, it sustained me. I have before observed
that fear had been my predominating feeling till I had quitted my
parents, love and gratitude had succeeded it, but now, smarting under
injustice, pride, and, with pride, many less worthy passions, were
summoned up, and I appeared in the course of two short hours to be
another being. I felt confidence in myself, my eyes were opened all at
once as it