In the evening, Madame Bathurst sent for me; I
found her in bed and looking very ill.

"Valerie," said she, "I wish Caroline to start early to-morrow morning,
that, as you accompany her, you may be able to return here before night.
I shall not be able to see her to-morrow morning. I must, therefore,
bid her farewell this night; bring her here, and the sooner it is over
the better."

I went for Caroline, and a bitter parting it was; I hardly know which of
the three cried the most, but after half-an-hour Madame Bathurst signed
to me to take Caroline away, which I did, and afterwards put her into
bed as soon as I could. Having remained with her till she had sobbed
herself to sleep, I went down to the servants and gave Madame Bathurst's
directions for the next morning, and then retired myself. Worn out as I
was with such a day of anxiety and distress, I could not close my eyes
for some time, reflecting upon what might be the issue of this breaking
up of the connection to myself. I had been engaged as governess to
Caroline, and I could not well expect that Madame Bathurst would wish to
retain me now that Caroline was removed from her care; neither, indeed,
would my pride permit me to accept such an offer if made, as I should
become a mere dependent on her bounty, with no services to offer in
return. That I must leave Madame Bathurst was certain, and that I must
look out for some other situation. I took it for granted that Madame
Bathurst would not permit me to leave immediately, but allow me a short
time to look out for a suitable situation; but whether I should decide
upon taking the situation of a governess after what Madame Bathurst had
told me, or what situation I should seek was the cause of much thought
and indecision. At last I could make no mind up, and decided that I
would trust to Providence, and having so far come to a conclusion, I
fell asleep.

After an early breakfast, I set off in the carriage with Caroline in
charge, and before noon, we arrived at her father's house. The servants
dressed in very gaudy liveries, ushered us into the library, where we
found her father and mother waiting to receive her. A first glance
satisfied me that they were swelled with pride at the change in their
fortunes. Caroline was not received with great cordiality. There was a
stiffness on the part of her parents which would have checked any
feelings of affection on her part, had she been inclined to show them,
which