ay so distinctly."

"Oh! Ma'am, it is just a wish I have. I wish--; but it's no matter. If I
could once see the house clear of that Frenchwoman--"

"If you mean Mademoiselle de Barras, she is a lady," interrupted
Mrs. Marston.

"Well, ma'am, I beg pardon," continued the woman; "lady or no lady, it is
all one to me; for I am very sure, ma'am, she'll never leave the house
till there is something bad comes about; and--and--. I can't bring myself
to talk to you about her, ma'am. I can't say what I want to tell you:
but--but--. Oh, ma'am, for God's sake, try and get her out, any way, no
matter how; try and get rid of her."

As she said this, the poor girl burst into a passionate agony of tears,
and Mrs. Marston and Rhoda looked on in silent amazement, while she for
some minutes continued to sob and weep.

The party were suddenly recalled from their various reveries by a knock
at the chamber-door. It opened, and the subject of the girl's deprecatory
entreaty entered. There was something unusually excited and assured in
Mademoiselle de Barras's air and countenance; perhaps she had a suspicion
that she had been the topic of their conversation. At all events, she
looked round upon them with a smile, in which there was something
supercilious, and even defiant; and, without waiting to be invited, sate
herself down, with a haughty air.

"I was about to ask you to sit down, mademoiselle, but you have
anticipated me," said Mrs. Marston, gravely. "You have something to say
to me, I suppose; I am quite at leisure, so pray let me hear it now."

"Thank you, thank you, madame," replied she, with a sharp, and even
scornful glance; "I ought to have asked your permission to sit; I forgot;
but you have condescended to give it without my doing so; that was very
kind, very kind, indeed."

"But I wish to know, mademoiselle, whether you have anything very
particular to say to me?" said Mrs. Marston.

"You wish to know!--and why, pray madame?" asked Mademoiselle de
Barras, sharply.

"Because, unless it is something very urgent, I should prefer your
talking to me some other time; as, at present, I desire to be alone with
my daughter."

"Oh, ho! I ought to ask pardon again," said mademoiselle, with the same
glance, and the same smile. "I find I am de trop--quite in the way.
Helas! I am very unfortunate today."

Mademoiselle de Barras made not the slightest movement, and it was
evident that she was resolved to prolong her stay, in shee