, but I dressed and went
down to breakfast. Lady R--asked after my health, and then said, "I
observed you talking very confidentially with Lady M--. I was not aware
that you knew her. Between ourselves, Valerie, she is one of my
models."

"Indeed," replied I, "I do not think that her ladyship is aware of the
honour conferred upon her."

"Very likely not, but in the last work she was portrayed to the life.
Lady M--is a schemer, always plotting; her great object now is to get
her three daughters well married."

"I believe that most mothers wish that, Lady R--."

"I grant it, and perhaps manoeuvre as much, but with more skill than she
does, for every one sees the game that she is playing, and the
consequence is, that the young men shy off, which they probably would
not if she were quiet, for they are really clever, unaffected, and
natural girls, very obliging, and without any pride; but how came you to
be so intimate with Lady M--?"

"Lady M--and her eldest daughter were staying for some time with Madame
Bathurst in the country when I was there."

"Oh, I understand, that accounts for it."

"I am going to call upon Lady M--, if she sends her carriage for me,"
replied I. "She told me that she would, if she could, at two o'clock.
She has proposed my paying her a visit; I presume it will be after she
leaves town."

"But that you will not be able to do, Valerie; you forget our trip to
France."

"I did not think that you were serious," replied I; "you mentioned it as
the resolution of a night, and I did not know that you might not think
differently upon further consideration."

"Oh no, my resolutions are hastily formed, but not often given up. Go
to Paris we certainly shall."

"If you are determined upon going, Lady R--, I am afraid that I cannot
accompany you."

"Indeed!" exclaimed her ladyship, in surprise. "May I ask why not?"

"Simply because I might meet those I am most anxious to avoid; there is
a portion of my history that you are not acquainted with, Lady R--,
which I will now make known to you."

I then told her as much as I thought necessary relative to my parents,
and stated my determination not to run the risk of meeting them. Lady
R--argued, persuaded, coaxed, and scolded, but it was all in vain; at
last she became seriously angry, and left the room. Lionel soon
afterwards made his appearance, and said to me, in his usual familiar
way, "What's the matter, Miss Valerie? The governess is in