ablishment, that I was to have a new pupil the next quarter, which
was very near; and when it did arrive, and the young lady was brought
in, who should it be but Caroline, my former companion and pupil at
Madame Bathurst's?

"Valerie!" exclaimed she, rushing into my arms.

"My dear Caroline, this is an unexpected pleasure," said I; "but how
came you here?"

"I will tell you some day," replied Caroline, not wishing to talk about
her family while the teacher, who came in with her, was present.

"I hope Madame Bathurst is well?" inquired I.

"Quite well, when I saw her last," said Caroline.

"Well, my dear, we must work, and not talk, for my time is valuable,"
said I; "so sit down, and let me hear whether you have improved since I
last gave you a lesson."

The teacher then left the room, and Caroline, having run over a few
bars, stopped, and said, "I never can play till I have talked to you,
Valerie. You asked me how I came here. At my own request; or, if a
girl may use such language, because I insisted upon it. I was so
uncomfortable at home, that I could bear it no longer. I must speak
against my father and mother--I cannot help it; for it is impossible to
be blind; they are so strange, so conceited, so spoiled by prosperity,
so haughty and imperious, and so rude and uncouth to any whom they
consider beneath them, that it is painful to be in their company.
Servants will not remain a month in the house--there is nothing but
exchange, and everything is uncomfortable. After having lived with my
aunt Bathurst, who you will acknowledge to be a lady in every respect, I
really thought that I was in a _Hopital de Fous_. Such assumption, such
pretension, such absurdities, to all which they wished to make me a
party. I have had a wilderness of governesses, but not one would or
could submit to the humiliations which they were loaded with. At last,
by rebelling in every way, I gained my point, and have escaped to
school. I feel that I ought not to speak disparagingly of my parents,
but still I must speak the truth to you, although I would say nothing to
others; so do not be angry with me, Valerie."

"I am more sorry that it is so, than that you should tell me of it,
Caroline; but from what I saw during my short visit, I can fully give
credit to all you have said."

"But is it not a hard case, Valerie, when you cannot respect your
parents?" replied Caroline, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.

"It is, my dear;