the dresses and lace she said could be disposed
of to a person she knew, who gained her livelihood by re-making up such
things.

We were thus employed, when Lionel called. He had obtained his
passport, and had come to wish me good-bye. When he rose to say
farewell, he said, "Miss Valerie, I can hardly say what my feelings are
towards you. Your kindness to me when I was a supposed footman, and the
interest you always took in anything concerning me, have deeply
impressed me with gratitude, but I feel more. You are much too young
for my mother, but I feel the reverence of a son, and if I did dare to
use the expression, I feel towards you, what I think are the feelings
that a brother should have towards a sister."

"I am flattered by your saying so, Lionel," replied I. "You are now in
a much higher position, or rather soon will be, than I shall ever obtain
in this world, and that you have such feelings towards me for any little
kindness I have shown to you, is highly creditable to your heart. Have
you any letters of introduction to anyone in Paris? but now I think of
it, you cannot well have."

"No," replied he; "I may have by and bye, but how could I possibly
obtain one at present?"

A thought struck me.

"Well, Lionel, you do not know my history; but I was once very intimate
with a lady at Paris, and, although we parted bad friends, she has since
written kindly to me, and I believe her to have been sincere in so
doing. I will give you a letter of introduction to her, but do not
blame me if I have been deceived in her a second time."

I went to the table and wrote the following short note--

"My dear Madame D'Albret,--

"This letter will be presented to you by a Mr Lionel Dempster, a young
Englishman of fortune, and a great friend of mine. He is going to
reside at Paris to improve himself, until he comes of age; and I give
him this introduction to you for two reasons; the first, because I want
to prove to you that, although my feelings would not permit me to accept
your last kind offer, I have long forgotten and forgiven any little
injustice you did me: and the second, because I feel convinced that in
your society, and that which you keep, he will gain more advantage than
perhaps in any other in Paris.--Yours with esteem,--

"Valerie de Chatenoeuf."

"There, Lionel, this may be of use to you; if not, write and let me
know. You will of course let me hear from you occasionally?"

"May Heaven preserve