R--if she would like to see them, to
which proposal she assented. When Madame Gironac displayed her
performances, which were very natural and beautiful, her ladyship was
delighted, and purchased several of them, after which I again went
downstairs, and had a long conversation with my warm-hearted little
friend.

"I don't like this situation of yours, mademoiselle," said she, "nor
does my husband. Now I was thinking, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, that
it would not be a bad plan if you were to learn how to make those
flowers. I will teach you for nothing; and I will teach you what I
never teach my pupils, which is how to prepare the wax, and a great many
other little secrets which are worth knowing."

"I shall be very glad to learn, my dear madame," replied I, "but I can
afford to pay you for your time and trouble, and must insist upon doing
so; if not, I will not be your pupil."

"Well, well, we must not quarrel about that. I know that no one likes
to be under an obligation, especially one like you--but learn you must--
so let us arrange for the lessons."

I did so; and from that day until I quitted Lady R--

I applied myself so assiduously to the art, that, with the unreserved
communications of Madame Gironac, I became a proficient, and could equal
her own performances--Madame Gironac declared that I excelled her,
because I had more taste--but to return.

After I had parted with Madame Gironac, I went upstairs, and found Lady
R--sitting at the table, looking at the purchases she had made.

"My dear Valerie," cried she, "you don't know how you have obliged me by
introducing that little woman and her flowers. What a delightful and
elegant employment for a heroine to undertake--so lady-like! I have
determined that mine shall support herself by imitating flowers in wax.
I am just at the point of placing her in embarrassed circumstances, and
did not well know how she was to gain her livelihood, but, thanks to
you, that is selected, and in a most charming and satisfactory manner.
It is so hard to associate poverty with clean hands."

About a fortnight afterwards, after some other conversation, Lady R--
said, "My dear Valerie, I have a surprise for you. The season is nearly
over, and, what is more important, my third volume will be complete in a
fortnight. Last night as I was wooing Somnus in vain, an idea came into
my head. I proposed going to pass the autumn at Brighton, as you know,
but last night I made up