"A pretty state I am in to write," replied she, leaning her elbows on
the table, and pressing her hands to her eyes. "You don't know what a
rage I have been in, and how I have been venting it upon innocent
people. I struck that poor boy--shame on me! Alas! I was born with
violent passions, and they have been my curse through life. I had hoped
that years had somewhat subdued them, but they will occasionally master
me. What would I not give to have had your placid temper, Valerie! How
much unhappiness I should have been spared! How much error should I
have avoided! I was going to say, how much crime."

Lady R--was evidently more talking to herself than to me when she said
the last words, and I therefore made no reply. A silence of more than a
quarter of an hour followed, which was broken by Lionel coming in, and
announcing the carriage of Lady M--.

"That woman is the cause of all this," said Lady R--; "I am sure that
she is. Pray do not wait, Valerie. Go and see her. I shall be better
company when you come back."

I made no reply, but left the room, and putting on my bonnet, was driven
to Lady M--'s. She received me with great cordiality, and so did her
daughters, who were in the room; but they were dismissed by their
mother, who then said, "I told you last night, my dear Mademoiselle de
Chatenoeuf, that I wished you to reside with me. You may say in what
capacity, and I acknowledge that I hardly know what answer to give. Not
as governess, certainly, for I consider it an odious position, and one
that I could not offer you; indeed, my girls do not require teaching, as
they have finished their studies; in only one thing you could be of
advantage to them in that respect, which is in music and singing. But I
wish you to come as their companion, as I am convinced that they will
gain much by your so doing. I wish you, therefore, to be considered by
others as a visitor at the house, but at the same time I must insist
that from the advantages my girls will derive from your assisting them
in music and singing, you will accept the same salary per annum which
you have from Lady R--. Do you understand me: I wish you to remain with
me, not as a model after the idea of Lady R--, but as a model for my
girls to take pattern by. I shall leave it to yourself to act as you
please. I am sure my girls like you already, and will like you better.
I do not think that I can say more, except that I trust you will not
refuse