"And therefore, you see, had there been any dislike to the alteration upon our young friend's part," said Mrs Blunt, "I should not have liked to make the change." Yes: she actually said all that, just as if she believed it, and even smiled at me as she spoke; while, I declare, I almost felt dumb-founded to hear what she said. The Cedars certainly must have been a most delightful place to motherly eyes, for at every turn go where we would, Mrs Campanelle Brassey was lost in admiration, and found everything charming; and she did not scruple to say so, and to such an extent that I grew tired of hearing her. But that did not matter, for there was no getting away; and I had to go with her, into the dining-room again to have some cake and wine, which I had to ring for, and then go and sit down by the side of the visitor, who seemed to know by instinct which would be the softest couch. James brought in the wine, and when I was asked, as a matter of course, I ought to have declined, and said, with a display of Cedar deportment, "No, thank you;" but I did not intend anything of the sort, and said "Yes," for I knew that Mrs Blunt always had the best sherry brought out for the visitors, and was in consequence terribly stingy over it. So I said, "Yes, if you please," and took a glass, while she was obliged to smile all the time; for I did not mean to be walked about, and talked at, and talked to all day for nothing. But at last I was set at liberty, and went off to the schoolroom to discuss the coming of the new girl, who was so handsome and charming in every respect, till Miss Furness returned from the drawing-room, where she had been to be introduced, and desired us to pursue our studies, when, of course, we were all very industrious for quite five minutes. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. MEMORY THE TWENTY-FIRST--I SUFFER. "I can't think how mammas can be so silly as to believe all that is said by these lady principals," said Clara. "And so there's another new girl coming, just my age? I wonder how she will like Cedar mutton--all gristle and tiff-taff. I wish I was out of it, I do! And so it's all off between you and Monsieur Achille, is it, dear? Well, I'm very glad, for it had got to be dreadfully tiring, really. Now, tell the truth, ain't you glad yourself?" "N-n-no, I don't think I am," I said. "It will be so dull now, with nothing to look forward to; and--heigho!--who would have thought that he would be so false?" "Anybody, everybody," said Clara; "and yet you were highly offended because I said French gentlemen were fickle and brittle. Never mind, dear, there will be some one else some day, and I shall be bridesmaid, after all."