my mind that we would go over the water; but
whether it is to be Havre, or Dieppe, or Paris, or anywhere else I
cannot say, but certainly La Belle France. How do you like the idea? I
think of making a sort of sentimental journey. We will seek adventures.
Shall we go like Rosamond and Celia? I with `gallant curtal axe,'
dressed as a youth. Shall we be mad, Valerie? What say you?"

I hardly knew what to say. Lady R--appeared to have a most unusual
freak in her head, and to be a little more odd than usual. Now I had no
wish to go to France, as I might fall in with people whom I did not wish
to see; and moreover, from what I had heard of her ladyship's adventures
in Italy, I was convinced that she was one of many, I may say, who fancy
that they may do as they please out of their own country, and I
certainly did not wish to figure in her train; I therefore replied, "I
know my own country well, Lady R--, and there cannot be a less eligible
one for a masquerade. We should meet with too many _desagremens_, if
unprotected by male society, and our journey would be anything but
sentimental. But if you do go to France, does Lionel accompany you?"

"Well, I do not know, but I should like him to learn the language. I
think I shall take him. He is a clever boy."

"Very," replied I; "where did you pick him up?"

"He is a son of my late father's"--(`a son of--' exclaimed I)--"tenant,
or something I was going to say," continued Lady R--, colouring; "but I
could not recollect exactly what the man was. Bailiff, I think. I know
nothing about his father, but he was recommended to me by Sir Richard
before he died."

"Recommended as a servant?" replied I; "he appears to me to be too good
for so menial a position."

"I have made him above his position, Valerie; not that he was
recommended as a servant, but recommended to my care. Perhaps some day
I may be able to do more for him. You know that we are to go to Lady
G--'s ball to-night. It will be a very brilliant affair. She gives but
one during the season, and she always does the thing in good style.
Bless me, how late it is! The carriage will be round in two minutes;
I've a round of visits to pay."

"Will you excuse me? I have promised to take a lesson of Madame
Gironac."

"Very true; then I must enter upon my melancholy task alone. What can
be so absurd as a rational and immortal soul going about distributing
pasteboard!"

We went to Lady G--'s ball, which was