avy heart that I afterwards alighted at Lady M--'s residence in St
James's Square. If smiles, however, and cordial congratulations, and
shakes of the hand could have consoled me, they were not wanting on the
part of Lady M--and her daughters. I was shown all the rooms below,
then Lady M--'s room, the young ladies' rooms, and lastly my own, and
was truly glad when I was at last left alone to unpack and arrange my
things.

The room allotted to me was very comfortable, and better furnished than
those in which the young ladies slept, and as far as appearances went, I
was in all respects treated as a visitor and not as a governess. The
maid who attended me was very civil, and as she assisted and laid my
dresses in the wardrobe, made no attempt to be familiar. I ought to
have informed the reader that Lady M--was a widow, Lord M--having died
about two years before. Her eldest son, the present Lord M--, was on
the continent. Dinner was announced; there were only two visitors, and
I was treated as one of the company. In fact, nothing could be more
gratifying than the manner in which I was treated. In the evening, I
played and sang. The young ladies did the same; their voices were good,
but they wanted expression in their singing, and I perceived that I
could be useful.

Lady M--asked me, when we were not overheard, "what I thought of her
daughters' singing?"

I told her frankly.

"It is impossible to doubt the truth of what you say, my dear
Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, after having heard your performance. I knew
that you were considered a good performer, but I had no idea of the
perfection which you have arrived at."

"If your daughters are really fond of music, they would soon do as well,
my lady," replied I.

"Impossible," exclaimed her ladyship; "but still they must gain
something from listening to you. You look fatigued. Do you wish to go
to bed? Augusta will go up with you."

"I have a nervous headache," replied I, "and I will accept your
ladyship's considerate proposal."

Augusta, the eldest daughter, lighted a chamber-candle, and went up with
me into my room. After a little conversation, she wished me good-night,
and thus passed the first day in St James's Square.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

As arranged by Lady M--, the next day we went to Harking Castle, the
family seat, in Dorsetshire, and I was not sorry to be again quiet,
after the noise and bustle of a London season. As Lady M--had observed,
the