ise of secrecy, but that I would not trust myself in France, or
allow my mother to be aware of my existence, until I could ascertain
what her power might be over me. But before I decided upon any thing, I
made up my mind that I would make a confidant, and obtain the opinion of
Judge Selwyn. By the evening's post I wrote a note to him, requesting
that he would let me know when I might have an interview.

An answer arrived the next day, stating, that Judge Selwyn would call
and take me down with him to Kew, where I should sleep, and return to
town with him on the following morning. This suited me very well, and,
as soon as the carriage was off the stones, I said that I was now about
to confide to him that portion of my life with which he was
unacquainted, and ask his advice how I ought to proceed, in consequence
of some intelligence lately communicated by Lionel. I then went into
the whole detail, until I arrived at my being taken away from the
barracks by Madame d'Albret; the remainder of my life he knew sufficient
of, and I then gave him Lionel's letter to read, and when he had done
so, I stated to him what my wishes and what my fears were, and begged
him to decide for me what was best to be done.

"This is an eventful history, Valerie," said the old gentleman. "I
agree with you on the propriety of making your existence known to your
brother, and also to your father, who has been sufficiently punished for
his cowardice. Whether your father will be able to contain his secret,
I doubt very much; and from what you have told me of your mother, I
should certainly not trust myself in France. I am not very well
informed of the laws of the country, but it is my impression that
children are there under the control of their parents until they are
married. Go to France I therefore would not, unless it were as a
married woman: then you will be safe. When does Lionel come over?"

"He will come at any time if I say I wish it."

"Then let him come over, and invite your brother to come with him, then
you can arrange with him. I really wish you were married, Valerie, and
I wish also that my son was married; I should like to be a grandfather
before I die."

"With respect to my marrying, sir, I see little chance of that; I
dislike the idea, and, in fact, it would be better to be with my mother
at once, for I prefer an old tyranny to a new one."

"It does not follow, my dear Valerie; depend upon it there are many
happy marr