is peerage yet. Oh, what a life of vanity ours is!

Enter Madame de Moncontour. What are you young folks a-talkin'
about--balls and operas? When first I was took to the opera I did not
like it--and fell asleep. But now, oh, it's 'eavenly to hear Grisi sing!

The Clock. Ting, ting!

Ethel. Two o'clock already! I must run back to grandmamma. Good-bye,
Madame de Moncontour; I am so sorry I have not been able to see dear
Madame de Florac. I will try and come to her on Thursday--please tell
her. Shall we meet you at the American minister's to-night, or at Madame
de Brie's to-morrow? Friday is your own night--I hope grandmamma will
bring me. How charming your last music was! Good-bye, mon cousin! You
shall not come downstairs with me, I insist upon it, sir: and had much
best remain here, and finish your drawing of Madame de Moncontour.

Princess. I've put on the velvet, you see, Clive--though it's very 'ot
in May. Good-bye, my dear.

[Exit ETHEL.
As far as we can judge from the above conversation, which we need not
prolong--as the talk between Madame de Moncontour and Monsieur Clive,
after a few complimentary remarks about Ethel, had nothing to do with
the history of the Newcomes--as far as we can judge, the above little
colloquy took place on Monday: and about Wednesday, Madame la Comtesse
de Florac received a little note from Clive, in which he said, that one
day when she came to the Louvre, where he was copying, she had admired a
picture of a Virgin and Child, by Sasso Ferrato, since when he had been
occupied in making a water-colour drawing after the picture, and hoped
she would be pleased to accept the copy from her affectionate and
grateful servant, Clive Newcome. The drawing would be done the next
day, when he would call with it in his hand. Of course Madame de Florac
received this announcement very kindly; and sent back by Clive's servant
a note of thanks to that young gentleman.

Now on Thursday morning, about one o'clock, by one of those singular
coincidences which, etc. etc., who should come to the Hotel de Florac
but Miss Ethel Newcome? Madame la Comtesse was at home, waiting to
receive Clive and his picture: but Miss Ethel's appearance frightened
the good lady, so much so that she felt quite guilty at seeing the girl,
whose parents might think--I don't know what they might not think--that
Madame de Florac was trying to make a match between the young people.
Henc