r
departure, and I thought I would wait till I had seen Mr Selwyn again
before I claimed them.

Madame Gironac came as requested, and I then communicated to her all
that had taken place. She was delighted at my good fortune, and said
she hoped that I would now come and live with them, as I had the means
of living, without being subject to the caprices of others, but I could
give no answer till I knew what my property might amount to. All I
could promise was, to go to her as soon as I had finished my business in
Baker Street, and then I would afterwards decide what steps it would be
advisable for me to take.

After a long conversation, during which Madame Gironac was as lively as
ever, we separated, Madame Gironac promising to come and pass the next
day with me, and assist me in looking over Lady R--'s wardrobe. During
the afternoon, I had selected a good many of Lady R--'s dresses, and
some which did not please my taste, or had been much worn, I gave to her
maid, on the following morning, before her departure. This pleased her
very much, as she knew that her mistress's wardrobe had been bequeathed
to me, and did not expect to obtain any portion of it; but the drawers
and closets were so loaded, that I could well afford to be generous.
Madame Gironac came to breakfast the next morning, accompanied by her
husband, who was delighted to see me, and having as usual quarrelled,
after their fashion, he bounced out of the room, declaring that he never
would see that odious little woman any more.

"Oh, Monsieur Gironac, you forget you promised to come and dine here."

"Well, well, so I did; but, Mademoiselle Valerie, that promise has
prevented a separation."

"It is very unlucky that you asked him, Mademoiselle Valerie," replied
his wife, "all my hopes are destroyed. Good-bye, Monsieur Gironac, and
be grateful that you have been prevented from committing a folly; now
go, we are to be very busy, and don't want you."

"I will go, madame; and hear me," said Monsieur Gironac, with mock
solemnity; "as I live, I will not return--till dinner-time."

He then bounced out of the room. We then proceeded to sort and arrange.
Madame Gironac, who was a good judge, stated the laces to be worth at
least 200 pounds, and the other articles, such as silks, etcetera, with
the dresses and lace, at about 100 pounds more. The laces and silks not
made up she proposed selling for me, which she said that she could to
various customers, and