Florac,
blushing, asked Ethel to come and see her, Ethel's grandmother consented
with the utmost willingness. "She is very devote, I have heard, and will
try and convert you. Of course you will hold your own about that sort of
thing; and have the good sense to keep off theology. There is no Roman
Catholic parti in England or Scotland that is to be thought for a
moment. You will see they will marry young Lord Derwenwater to an
Italian princess; but he is only seventeen, and his directors never lose
sight of him. Sir Bartholomew Bawkes will have a fine property when Lord
Campion dies, unless Lord Campion leaves the money to the convent where
his daughter is--and, of the other families, who is there? I made every
inquiry purposely--that is, of course, one is anxious to know about the
Catholics as about one's own people: and little Mr. Rood, who was one of
my poor brother Steyne's lawyers, told me there is not one young man of
that party at this moment who can be called a desirable person. Be very
civil to Madame de Florac; she sees some of the old legitimists, and you
know I am brouillee with that party of late years."

"There is the Marquis de Montluc, who has a large fortune for France,"
said Ethel, gravely; "he has a humpback, but he is very spiritual.
Monsieur de Cadillan paid me some compliments the other night, and even
asked George Barnes what my dot was, He is a widower, and has a wig and
two daughters. Which do you think would be the greatest encumbrance,
grandmamma,--a humpback, or a wig and two daughters? I like Madame de
Florac; for the sake of the borough, I must try and like poor Madame de
Moncontour, and I will go and see them whenever you please."

So Ethel went to see Madame de Florac. She was very kind to Madame de
Preville's children, Madame de Florac's grandchildren; she was gay and
gracious with Madame de Moncontour. She went again and again to the
Hotel de Florac, not caring for Lady Kew's own circle of statesmen and
diplomatists, Russian, and Spanish, and French, whose talk about the
courts of Europe,--who was in favour at St. Petersburg, and who was
in disgrace at Schoenbrunn,--naturally did not amuse the lively young
person. The goodness of Madame de Florac's life, the tranquil grace and
melancholy kindness with which the French lady received her, soothed
and pleased Miss Ethel. She came and reposed in Madame de Florac's quiet
chamber, or sate in the shade in the sober old garden of her hotel;
awa