"Well," said she, "I have seen two nice young men this morning; I don't
know which I like best, but I think Mr Selwyn is the more manly of the
two."
"I should think so, too, Caroline," replied I; "Mr Selwyn is
twenty-four years old, I believe, and Mr Dempster is younger, I think,
than you are."
"I did not think he was so young; but, Valerie, are we not to go to the
National Gallery?"
"Yes, when Monsieur Gironac comes home to escort us; we may as well put
on our bonnets, for he will be here in a few minutes."
"Oh, Valerie, how fortunate it was that I came to Mrs Bradshaw's," said
Caroline, "and that I met you! I should have been moped, that is
certain, if I had not, but now I'm so happy--that's Monsieur Gironac's
knock, I'm sure."
But Caroline was wrong, for it was Mademoiselle Chabot, of whom I have
before spoken, who made her appearance. Mademoiselle Chabot was an
acquaintance of Madame Gironac, and it was through my having become
intimate with her, that I obtained the teaching of Mrs Bradshaw's.
Adele Chabot was a very pretty person, thoroughly French, and dressed
with great taste. She was the resident French teacher in Mrs
Bradshaw's establishment; and, although twenty-five years old, did not
look more than eighteen; she was very amusing and rather wild, although
she looked very demure. I never thought that there was anything wrong
in Adele, but, at the same time, I did not consider that Caroline would
derive any good from her company, as Caroline required to be held in
check as it was. But, as is usually the case, the more I attempted to
check any intimacy between them, the more intimate they became. Adele
was of a good family; her father had fallen at Montmartre, when the
allies entered Paris after the Battle of Waterloo: but the property left
was very small to be divided among a large family, and consequently
Adele had first gone out as a governess at Paris, and ultimately
accepted the situation she now held. She spoke English remarkably well,
indeed, better than I ever heard it spoken by a Frenchwoman, and
everybody said so as well as me.
"Well, Adele, I thought you were at Brighton," said Caroline.
"I was yesterday, and I am here to-day; I am come to dine with you,"
replied Adele, taking off her bonnet and shawl, and smoothing her hair
before the glass. "Where's Madame Gironac?"
"Gone out to give a lesson in flower-making," replied I. "Yes, she is
like the little busy bees, always on the wing, and, as the hymn says,
`How neat she spread her wax!' and Monsieur, where is he?"
"Gone out to give a lesson, also," replied I. "Yes, he's like the wind,
always blowing, one hour the flute, another the French horn, then the
bassoon or the bugle, always blowing and always shifting from one point
to the other; never a calm with him, for when he comes home there's a
breeze with his wife, _a l'aimable_, to be sure."
"Yes," replied Caroline, "always blowing, but never coming to blows."
"You are witty, Mademoiselle Caroline," said Adele, "with your paradox.
Do you know that I had an adventure at Brighton, and I am taken for you,
by a very fashionable young man?"
"How can you have been taken for me?" said Caroline. "The gentleman
wished to find out who I was, and I would not tell him. He inquired of
the chambermaid of the lodging-house, and bribed her, I presume, for the
next day she came up to my room and asked me for my card, that her
mistress might write my name down correctly in the book. I knew that
the mistress had not sent her, as I had, by her request, entered my own
name in the book three days before, and I was therefore certain that it
was to find out who I was for the gentleman who followed me everywhere.
I recollected that I had a card of yours in my case, and I gave it to
her very quietly, and she walked off with it. The next day, when I was
at the library, the gentleman addressed me by your name; I told him that
it was not my name, and requested that he would not address me again.
When I left Brighton yesterday, I discovered the chambermaid copying the
addresses I had put on my trunks, which was your name, at Mrs
Bradshaw's; so now I think we shall have some fun."
"But, my dear Adele, you have not been prudent; you may compromise
Caroline very much," said I; "recollect that men talk, and something
unpleasant may occur from this want of discretion on your part."
"Be not afraid, Valerie; I conducted myself with such prudery that an
angel's character could not suffer."
"I do not mean to hint otherwise, Adele, but still you must acknowledge
that you have done an imprudent thing."
"Well, I do confess it, but, Valerie, every one has not your discretion
and good sense. At all events, if I see or hear any more of the
gentleman I can undo it again,--but that is not very likely."
"We have had two gentlemen here to-day, Adele," said Caroline, "and one
dines with us."
"Indeed; well, I'm in _demi-toilette_, and must remain so, for I cannot
go all the way back to Mrs Bradshaw's to dress."
"He is a very handsome young man, is he not, Valerie?"
"Yes," replied I, "and of large fortune, too."
"Well, I shall not have a fair chance, then," said Adele, "for go back I
cannot."
"Now, Adele, you know how much more becoming the _demi-toilette_ is to
you than the evening dress," replied Caroline, "so don't pretend to deny
it."
"I deny nothing and I admit nothing," replied Adele, laughing, "except
that I am a woman, and now draw your own inferences and conclusions--_ce
m'est egal_."
We had a very pleasant dinner-party. Adele tried to flirt with Lionel,
but it was in vain. He had no attentions to throw away, except upon me;
once he whispered, "I should not feel strange at being seated with
others, but to be by _your_ side does make me awkward. Old habits are
strong, and every now and then I find myself jumping up to change your
plate."
"It's a great pleasure to me, Lionel, to find you in the position you
are entitled to from your birth. You will soon sit down with people of
more consequence than Valerie de Chatenoeuf."
"But never with anyone that I shall esteem or respect so much, be they
who they may," replied Lionel.
During dinner, I mentioned that Mr Selwyn had called and engaged
Caroline and me to go to the Horticultural fete.
"I wish Madame Gironac was going," continued I, "she is so fond of
flowers."
"Never mind, my dear Valerie, I will stay at home and earn some money."
"Madame," cried Monsieur Gironac, pretending to be very angry, and
striking with his fist on the table so as to make all the wine glasses
ring, "you shall do no such thing. You shall not always oppose my
wishes. You shall not stay at home and earn some money. You shall go
out and spend money. Yes, madame, I will be obeyed; you shall go to the
Horticultural fete, and I invite Monsieur Lionel, and Mademoiselle Adele
to come with us that they may witness that I am the master. Yes,
madame, resistance is useless. You shall go in a _remise de ver_, or
glass-coach, as round as a pumpkin, but you shall not go in glass
slippers, like Cinderella, because they are not pleasant to walk in.
How Cinderella danced in them has always been a puzzle to me, ever since
I was a child, and of what kind of glass they were made of."
"Perhaps isinglass," said Lionel.
"No, sir, not isinglass; it must have been fairy glass; but never mind.
I ask you, Madame Gironac, whether you intend to be an obedient wife, or
intend to resist my commands?"
"_Barbare_," replied Madame Gironac, "am I then to be forced to go to a
fete! ah, cruel man, you'll break my heart; but I submit to my unhappy
destiny. Yes, I will go in the _remise de ver_: pity me, my good
friends, but you don't know that man."
"I am satisfied with your obedience, madame, and now I permit you to
embrace me."
Madame Gironac, who was delighted at the idea of going to the fete, ran
to her husband, and kissed him over and over again. Adele and Lionel
accepted Monsieur Gironac's invitation, and thus was the affair settled
in Monsieur Gironac's queer way.
The day of the Horticultural fete arrived. It was a lovely morning. We
were all dressed and the glass-coach was at the door, when Mr Selwyn
arrived in his carriage, and Caroline and I stepped in. I introduced
Caroline, who was remarkably well-dressed, and very pretty. Mr Selwyn
had before told me that he was acquainted with Madame Bathurst, having
met her two or three times, and sat by her at a dinner-party. He
appeared much pleased with Caroline, but could not make out how she was
in my company. Of course, he asked no questions before her.
On our arrival at the gardens, we found young Mr Selwyn waiting at the
entrance to take us to Mrs Selwyn and his sisters, who had come from
their house at Kew. About half-an-hour afterwards, we fell in with
Monsieur Gironac, madame, Adele, and Lionel. Mr Selwyn greeted Lionel
warmly, introducing him to his family; and, on my presenting the
Gironacs and Adele, was very polite and friendly, for he knew from me
how kind they had been. Adele Chabot never looked so well; her costume
was most becoming; she had put on her _air mutine_, and was admired by
all that passed us. We were all grouped together close to the band,
when who should appear right in front of us but Madame Bathurst. At
that time, Caroline was on the one arm of Mr Selwyn, and I on the
other.
"Caroline!" exclaimed Madame Bathurst, "and you here!" turning to me.
While she remained in astonishment, Caroline ran up and kissed her.
"You recollect, Mr Selwyn, aunt, do you not?"
"Yes," said Madame Bathurst, returning the salute of Mr Selwyn, "but
still I am surprised."
"Come with me, aunt, and I will tell you all about it."
Caroline then walked to a seat at a little distance, sat down, and
entered into conversation with Madame Bathurst. In a few minutes,
Madame Bathurst rose, and came up to our party, with Caroline on her
arm.
She first thanked Mr Selwyn for his kindness in bringing her niece to
the fete, and then turning to me, said with some emotion, as she offered
her hand, "Valerie, I hope we are friends. We have mistaken each
other."