rous, selfish, wicked world this is!" cried I, throwing myself on
the sofa, and bursting into tears.

Amy was making every attempt to console me, and blaming herself for
having made the communication, when Lady M--came downstairs into the
room.

"What is all this--what a scene!" exclaimed she. "Mademoiselle de
Chatenoeuf, have you had any bad news?"

"Yes, my lady," replied I, "so bad that I am under the necessity of
leaving you directly."

"Indeed! may I inquire what has happened?"

"No, my lady, it is not in my power to tell you. I have only to repeat,
that I must, with your permission, leave this house to-morrow morning."

"Well, mademoiselle," replied her ladyship, "I do not want to pry into
your secrets, but this I must say, that where there is concealment,
there must be wrong; but I have lately discovered so much, that I do not
wonder at concealment--nor am I, indeed, surprised at your wish to leave
me."

"Lady M--," replied I, haughtily, "I have never done anything during the
time that I have been under your roof which I have to blush for--nor
indeed anything that requires concealment. This I can proudly say. If
I conceal now, it is to spare others, and, I may add, to spare you. Do
not oblige me to say more in presence of your daughter. It will be
sufficient for me to hint to you, that I am now aware why I was invited
to your house, and what are your plans for dismissing me when it suits
you."

"Eaves-dropping, then, is a portion of your character, mademoiselle,"
cried Lady M--, colouring up to the temples.

"No, madam, such is not the case, and that is all the answer I shall
give; it is sufficient for you that you are exposed, and I do not envy
your present feelings. I have only to repeat, that I shall leave this
house to-morrow morning, and I will not further trouble your ladyship
with my company."

I then walked out of the room, and as I passed Lady M--, and observed
her confusion and vexation, I felt that it was she who was humiliated,
and not me. I went up to my room and commenced my preparations for
immediate departure, and had been more than an hour busy in packing up,
when Amy came into my room.

"Oh, Valerie, how sorry I am--but you have behaved just as I think that
you ought to have done; and how very kind of you not to say that I told
you. My mother was so angry after you left; said that the maids must
have been listening, and declares she will give them all warning; but I
know