d I acquaint Madame Bathurst? That
would be of little use, as she would not interfere. Should I tell Mr
Selwyn's father? No. If a match at all, it must be a runaway match,
and Mr Selwyn, senior, would never sanction any thing of the kind. I
resolved, therefore, to let the affair ripen as it might. It would
occupy Caroline, and prevent her doing a more foolish thing, even if it
were to be ultimately broken off by unforeseen circumstances. Caroline
was as much absorbed by her own thoughts as I was during the ride, and
not a syllable was exchanged between us till we were roused by the
rattling over the stones.

"My dear Caroline, what a reverie you have been in," said I.

"And you, Valerie."

"Why I have been thinking; certainly, when I cannot have a more
agreeable companion, I amuse myself with my own thoughts."

"Will you tell me what you have been thinking about?"

"Yes, Caroline, provided you will be equally confiding."

"I will, I assure you."

"Well, then, I was thinking of a gentleman."

"And so was I," replied Caroline.

"Mine was a very handsome, clever young man."

"And so was mine," replied she.

"But I am not smitten with him," continued I.

"I cannot answer that question," replied Caroline, "because I do not
know who you were thinking about."

"You must answer the question as to the gentleman you were thinking of,
Caroline. I repeat that I am not smitten with him, and that his name is
Mr Charles Selwyn."

"I was also thinking of Mr Charles Selwyn," replied Caroline.

"And you are not smitten with him any more than I am, or he is with
you?" continued I, smiling, and looking her full in the face.

Caroline coloured, and said, "I like him very much from what I have seen
of him, Valerie; but recollect our acquaintance has been very short."

"A very proper answer, my dear Caroline, and given with due maidenly
decorum--but here we are; and there is Madame Gironac nodding to us from
the window."

The next day, Caroline went back to Mrs Bradshaw's, and I did not see
her till the music-lesson of Wednesday afterwards. Caroline, who had
been watching for me, met me at the door.

"Oh! Valerie, I have a great deal to tell. In the first place, the
establishment is in an uproar at the disappearance of Adele Chabot, who
has removed her clothes, and gone off without beat of drum. One of the
maids states that she has several times seen her walking and talking
with a tall gentleman, and Mrs Br