hough I now spent more money on my appearance, and had
purchased a piano, before the year was over I had paid 250 pounds into
Mr Selwyn's hands to take care of for me. When I thought of what might
have still been my position had it not been for the kindness of poor
Lady R--; when I reflected how I had been cast upon the world, young and
friendless, by Madame d'Albret, and that I was now making money rapidly
by my own exertions, and that at such an early age (for I was but little
past twenty years old), had I not reason to be grateful? I was so, and
most truly so, and moreover, I was happy, truly happy. All my former
mirth and vivacity, which had been checked during my sojourn in England,
returned. I improved every day in good looks, at least so everybody
told me but Mr Selwyn; and I gained that, which to a certain degree my
figure required, more roundness and expansion. And this was the poor
Valerie, supposed to have been drowned in the river Seine!

I forgot to say, that about three weeks after Lionel went to Paris, I
received a letter from Madame d'Albret, in which she thanked me warmly
for my having introduced the young Englishman to her, as she took it as
a proof of my really having forgiven her what she never should forgive
herself. She still indulged the hope that she might one day embrace me.
With respect to Lionel, she said that he appeared a modest, unassuming
young lad, and that it should not be her fault if he did not turn out an
accomplished gentleman; that he had already the best fencing and
music-masters, and was working very hard at the language. As soon as he
could speak French tolerably, he was to commence German and Italian.
She had procured him a _pension_ in an excellent French family, and he
appeared to be very happy.

I could not help reflecting, as I read the contents of this letter, upon
the change which had taken place in Lionel Dempster, as soon as he found
himself established in his rights. From an impudent, talkative page, he
at once became a modest, respectful, and silent young man. What could
have caused this change? Was it because, when a page, he felt himself
above his condition; and now, that he had gained a name and fortune,
that he felt himself beneath it? I decided, when I remembered how
anxious he was to improve himself, that such was the case; and I further
inferred that it showed a noble, generous, and sensitive mind. And I
now felt very glad that I had written to Madam