o do, and he
had plenty of time for reading, which he was very fond of.

Lady R--returned, and resumed her writing.

"You sing, do you not? I think Mrs Bathurst told me you were very
harmonious. Now, Valerie, do me a favour: I want to hear a voice
carolling some melodious ditty. I shall describe it so much better, if
I really heard you sing. I do like reality; of course, you must sing
without music, for my country girl cannot be crossing the mead with a
piano in one hand, and a pail of water in the other."

"I should think not," replied I, laughing; "but am not I too near?"

"Yes, rather; I should prefer it on the stairs, or on the first floor
landing, but I could not be so rude as to send you out of the room."

"But I will go without sending," replied I; and I did so, and having
arrived at my station, I sang a little French refrain, which I thought
would answer her ladyship's purpose. On my return her ladyship was
writing furiously, and did not appear to notice my entrance. I took my
seat quietly, and in about ten minutes she again threw down the pen,
exclaiming:

"I never wrote so effective a chapter! Valerie, you are more precious
to me than fine gold; and as Shylock said of his ring, `I would not
change thee for a wilderness of monkeys.' I make the quotation as
expressive of your value. It was so kind-hearted of you to comply with
my wish. You don't know an author's feelings. You have no idea how our
self-love is flattered by success, and that we value a good passage in
our works more than anything else in existence. Now, you have so kindly
administered to my ruling passion twice in one morning, that I love you
exceedingly. I daresay you think me very odd, and people say that I am
so; I may ask you to do many odd things for me, but I shall never ask
you to do what a lady may not do, or what would be incorrect for you to
do, or for me to propose; that you may depend upon, Valerie: and now I
close my manuscript for the present, being well satisfied with the day's
work."

Lady R--rang the bell, and on Lionel making his appearance, she desired
him to take away her writing materials, put her money into her purse--if
he knew where the purse was--and then asked him what were her
engagements for the evening.

"I know _we_ have an engagement," replied the boy; "I can't recollect
it, but I shall find it in the drawing-room."

He went out, and in a minute returned.

"I have found it, my lady," said he.