that she will not do that. She spoke about your meeting a young
man, and kissing going on; but you have already explained all that."

"Amy," replied I, "after I am gone, take an opportunity of saying to
Lady M--, that you mentioned this to me, and tell her that my reply was,
if Lady M--knew who that young man was, how he is connected, and how
large a fortune he will inherit, she would be very glad to see him kiss
one of her daughter's hands with a different feeling from that which
induced him to kiss mine."

"I will, depend upon it," said Amy, "and then mamma will think that she
has lost a good husband for me."

"She will meet him some of these days," replied I; "and what is more, he
will defend me from any attack made on that score."

"I will tell her that, also," said Amy, "it will make her careful of
what she says."

One of the servants then knocked at the door, and said, that Lady M--
wished to see Miss Amy.

"Wish me good-bye now," said I, "for you may not be permitted to see me
again."

The dear girl embraced me cordially, and, with tears in her eyes, left
the room. I remained till I had finished packing, and then sat down.
Shortly afterwards her ladyship's maid came in, and delivered me an
envelope from her ladyship, enclosing the salary due to me, with Lady
M--'s compliments written outside.

I saw no more of Lady M--or her daughter that evening. I went to bed,
and, as in my former changes, I reflected what steps I should take. As
for the treatment I had received, I was now to a certain degree hardened
to it, and my feelings certainly were not so acute as when, the first
time, I had received a lesson of what I might expect through life from
the heartlessness and selfishness of the world; but in the present case
there was a difficulty which did not exist in the former--I was going
away without knowing where I was to go. After a little thought, I
determined that I would seek Madame Gironac, and ascertain whether she
could not receive me until I had decided upon my future plans.

My thoughts then recurred to other points. I recollected that I had to
meet Mr Selwyn and Lionel in Baker Street, and I resolved that I would
go there with my effects early the next morning and leave them in charge
of the cook, who was taking care of the house. I calculated also the
money that I had in possession and in prospect. I had such a good stock
of clothes when I came to England with Madame Bathurst, that I had no