and most unattainable, one
must be a Robinson Crusoe, alone on his desert island,--a sort of
independence which no one, I should think, would practically desire to
enjoy.

Before sleep came, I believe that I began to muse about Monsieur de
Chavannes; but it was only to think that I did not care in the least
about him, nor he about me; and that, so far as he was concerned, I had
seen no cause to change my _decided_ resolution that I would never
marry. All this was, perhaps, in reality, the best of proofs that I did
already care something about him, and was very likely before long to
care something more; for some one has said, and he, by the way, no
ordinary judge of human nature, that if he desired to win a woman's
fancy or affection, his first step would be to make her _think_ about
him--even if it were to hate him! anything before the absence of all
thought, the blank void of real absolute indifference.

Indeed, I believe it is nearly true, that a woman rarely begins to think
_often_ of a man, even if it be as she fancies in dislike, but when,
however she may deceive herself, she is on the verge of loving him.

Was such the case with me?

At least, if it were so, I was then so far from knowing it, that I did
not even ask myself the question. But I remember that when I fell
asleep, I dreamed that I was standing at the altar with the Count de
Chavannes, when a band of all those who had ever wronged me, my mother,
Madame d'Albret, Madame Bathurst, the Stanhopes, Lady M--, rushed
between us, and tore us forcibly asunder,--and I wept so loud that my
sorrow awoke me, and it was some time before I was sure it was a dream.

Early the next morning, Auguste came again to see me; and as Monsieur
Gironac was abroad, giving lessons on the flute and guitar, while madame
either was, or pretended to be, excessively busy with her wax-flowers,
we had the whole day to ourselves until luncheon time, and we profited
by it so well, that before we were interrupted, we had little to learn
on either side concerning the passages of our lives, and the adventures,
which both we and all our families had gone through. And if I had been
a little inclined to be proud of myself before, and to give their full
value to my energy and decision of character, I certainly now stood in
no small danger of being spoiled by Auguste's praises.

For now half crying at my trials and troubles,--now laughing at Lady
R--'s absurdities,--now bursting into veh