our to be your son-in-law, you will permit me to kiss your hand?'

"`Caroline may have done worse, my dear,' said the lady to her husband,
who was still wavering. `Mr Selwyn may be a judge himself, or he may
be a Lord Chancellor, recollect that. Mr Selwyn you are welcome, and I
shall be most happy to see his lordship, and my husband shall call upon
him when we know when he will be at leisure. Oh! that Colonel, but he's
rightly served, a French teacher. Ha, ha, ha!' and Mrs Stanhope's
mirth was communicated to her husband, who now held out his hand to me
in a most patronising manner.

"`Well, sir, I give you joy. I believe you have saved my daughter's
character, and my dear,' added he, very pompously, `we must do something
for the young people.'

"`I trust, sir, I bear your forgiveness to Caroline.'

"`Yes, you do, Mr Selwyn,' said the lady. `Bring her here as soon as
you please. Oh that Colonel! ha, ha, ha! and it is capital. A French
teacher. Ha, ha, ha.'"

Such was the winding up of this second marriage. Had not Mr and Mrs
Stanhope been much subdued by the intelligence received from the Colonel
of the marriage being illegal, and had they not also been much gratified
at the mistake of the Colonel, things might not have gone off so
pleasantly. I have only to add, that Mr Stanhope, who appeared to obey
his wife in every thing, called upon the Judge, and their interview was
very amicable. Mr Stanhope, upon the Judge stating that his son had
sufficient income, immediately became profuse, and settled 2000 pounds
per annum upon his daughter, during his life, with a promise of much
more eventually. Caroline was graciously received by her mother, and
presented with some splendid diamonds. The Judge told me that he knew
the part I had taken in the affair, and shook his finger at me.

Thus ended this affair, and Madame Gironac, when she heard how busy I
had been in the two elopements, said, "Ah, Valerie, you begin by
marrying other people. You will end in finding a husband for yourself."

"That is quite another thing, madam," I replied. "I have no objection
in assisting other people to their wishes, but it does not follow that
therefore I am to seek for myself what I do not wish."

"Valerie, I am a prophetess. You will be married some time next year.
Mark my words."

"I will not forget them, and at the end of the year we shall see who is
right, and who is wrong."

After all this bustle and turmoil, th