very splendid. I had been
dancing, for although I was not considered probably good enough among
the young aristocrats to be made a partner for life, as a partner in a
waltz or quadrille I was rather in request, for the odium of governess
had not yet been attached to my name, having never figured in that
capacity in the metropolis, where I was unknown. I had but a short time
taken my seat by Lady R--, when the latter sprang off in a great hurry,
after what I could not tell, and her place was immediately occupied by a
lady, who I immediately recognised as a Lady M--, who had, with her
daughters, composed a portion of the company at Madame Bathurst's
country seat.

"Have you forgotten me, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf?" said Lady M--,
extending her hand.

"No, my lady, I am glad to see you looking so well. I hope your
daughters are also quite well?"

"Thank you; they look very well in the evening, but rather pale in the
morning. It is a terrible thing a London season, very trying to the
constitution, but what can we do? We must be out and be seen
everywhere, or we lose caste--so many balls and parties every night.
The fact is, that if girls are not married during the three first
seasons after they come out, their chance is almost hopeless, for all
the freshness and charm of youth, which are so appetising to the other
sex, are almost gone. No constitution can withstand the fatigue. I've
often compared our young ladies to the carriage horses--they are both
worked to death during the season, and then turned out to grass in the
country to recover themselves, and come up fresh for the next winter.
It really is a horrible life, but girls must be got off. I wish mine
were, for what with fatigue and anxiety I'm worn to a shadow. Come,
Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, let us go into the next room. It is cooler,
and we shall be more quiet; take my arm: perhaps we shall meet the
girls."

I accepted her ladyship's invitation, and we went into the next room,
and took a seat upon a sofa in a recess.

"Here we can talk without being overheard," said Lady M--; "and now, my
dear young lady, I know that you have left Madame Bathurst, but why I do
not know. Is it a secret?"

"No, my lady; when Caroline went away I was of no further use, and
therefore I did not wish to remain. You may perhaps know that I went to
Madame Bathurst's on a visit, and that an unforeseen change of
circumstances induced me to remain for some time as instr