young ladies were sadly jaded with continual late hours and hot
rooms, but they had not been a week in the country before they were
improved in appearance and complexion. They certainly were amiable,
nice girls; clever, and without pride, and I soon became attached to
them. I attended to their music, and they made great progress. I also
taught them the art of making flowers in wax, which I had so lately
learned myself. This was all I could do, except mildly remonstrating
with them when I saw what did not appear to me to be quite correct, in
their conduct and deportment. Lady M--appeared quite satisfied, and
treated me with great consideration, and I was in a short time very
happy in my new position.

For the first month, there were no visitors in the house; after that,
invitations were sent out. Lady M--had said that she would have a
month's quiet to recover herself from the fatigues of the season, and I
had no doubt but that she also thought her daughters would be much
benefited, as they really were, by a similar retirement. It was on the
Monday that company was expected, and on Friday Lady M--desired Augusta,
the eldest daughter, to put on a new dress which had just been made by
the two lady's-maids, and come down in it that she might see it on.
When Augusta made her appearance, and her mother had surveyed the dress,
she said, "I do not quite like it, Augusta, and yet I do not exactly
know where it's wrong; but something requires to be altered: it does not
hang gracefully."

As she said this, I was reading a book, and I naturally looked up, and
immediately perceived the alteration which the dress required. I
pointed it out, and with a few pins made the dress sit well.

"Why this is a new talent, my dear Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, one that
I had no idea that you possessed; although I admit that no one dresses
more elegantly than you do," said Lady M--. "How much I am obliged to
you for taking so much trouble."

"I am most happy to be of any service, Lady M--, and you may always
command me," replied I. "I have the credit of being a very good
milliner."

"I believe you can do anything," replied Lady M--.

"Augusta, go up to Benson and show her the alterations that are
required, and tell her to make them directly.

"After all," continued Lady M--, to me, "it is bad economy making
dresses at home, but I really cannot afford to pay the extravagant
prices charged by Madame Desbelli. My bills are monstrous