lt little
pain at the idea of parting with Madame Bathurst; and the following
morning I coolly announced my intention of accepting the offer of Lady
R--. Madame Bathurst looked at me very hard, as if surprised at not
hearing from me any regrets at leaving her, and expressions of gratitude
for all favours; but I could not express what I really did not feel at
the time. Afterwards I thought that I had been wrong, as, to a certain
degree, I was under obligations to her; not that I think, had she been
ever so inclined to get rid of me, she could have well turned me out of
the house, although I had been foisted upon her in such a way by Madame
d'Albret. Still I was under obligations to her, and should have
expressed myself so, if it had not been for the communication made to me
by the maid, which proved that her expressions to me were not sincere.

"Well, then," replied Madame Bathurst, at last, "I will write to Lady
R--immediately. I presume I may say that you are at her commands as
soon as she can receive you."

"Yes, madame, at an hour's notice," replied I.

"You really appear as if you were anxious to quit me, mademoiselle,"
said Madame Bathurst, biting her lip.

"I certainly am," replied I. "You informed Mason that I was to go,
previous to having my decision; and therefore I gladly withdraw myself
from the company of those who have made up their minds to get rid of
me."

"I certainly did tell Mason that there was a prospect of your quitting
me," replied Madame Bathurst, colouring up; "but--however, it's no use
entering into an investigation of what I really said, or catechising my
maid: one thing is clear, we have been mutually disappointed with each
other, and therefore it perhaps is better that we should part. I
believe that I am in your debt, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf. Have you
reckoned how long you have been with me?"

"I have reckoned the time that I instructed Caroline."

"_Miss_ Caroline, if you please, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf."

"Well, then, madame, Miss Caroline, since you wish it; it is five months
and two weeks," replied I, rising from my chair.

"You may sit down, mademoiselle, while I make the calculation," said
Madame Bathurst.

"It is too great an honour for a Chatenoeuf to sit in your presence,"
replied I, quietly, remaining on my feet.

Madame Bathurst made no reply, but calculating the sum of money due to
me on a sheet of note paper, handed it to me and begged me to see if it
w