our feelings. Now, tell me candidly, ought I to tell you, or
not?"

"I will give you my opinion candidly," replied I. "You have said too
little or too much. You speak of my being ill-treated; certainly, I
should wish to guard against that, although I cannot imagine who is my
enemy."

"Had I not heard it, I could not have believed it either," replied she.
"I thought that you had come here on a visit as a friend; but what makes
me think that I ought to tell you is, that there will be something said
against your character, which I am sure, must be false."

"Now, indeed, I must request that you will tell me everything, and
soften nothing down, but tell me the whole truth. Who is it that
intends to attack my character?"

"I am sorry--very sorry to say, it is mamma," replied she, wiping away a
tear.

"Lady M--!" exclaimed I.

"Yes," replied she; "but now you must listen to all I have to say. I am
sure that I am doing right in telling you, and therefore nothing shall
prevent me. I love my mother--what a sad thing it is that I cannot
respect her! I was in the dressing-room, when my mother was lying on
the sofa in her bedroom this morning, when her great friend, Mrs
Germane, came up. She sat talking with my mother for some time, and
they appeared either to forget or not to care if I heard them; for at
last your name was mentioned.

"`Well, she does dress you and your girls beautifully, I must say,' said
Mrs Germane. `Who is she? They say that she is of a good family; and
how came she to live with you as a milliner?'

"`My dear Mrs Germane, that she does live with me as a milliner is
true, and it was for that reason only I invited her to the house; but
she is not aware that I retain her in that capacity. She is, I
understand from Mrs Bathurst, of a noble family in France, thrown upon
the world by circumstances, very talented, and very proud. Her extreme
taste in dress I discovered when she was living with Mrs Bathurst; and,
when I found that she was about, through my management, to leave Lady
R--, I invited her here as a sort of friend, and to stay with my
daughters--not a word did I mention about millinery; I had too much tact
for that. Even when her services were required, I made it appear as her
own offer, and expressed my thanks for her condescension, and since
that, by flattery and management, she has continued to dress my
daughters for me; and, I must say, that I do believe it has been owing
to her e