“I forgot that, my Lady. I thought my stepmother had, perhaps, informed your Ladyship.” “Of nothing whatever, child,” said she, haughtily, “save of your having a foreign education, and wishing, or hoping, to find some engagement as a governess or a teacher;” and the last words were drawled out languidly, as though they were suggestive of all that was wearisome and a bore. “So you must be good enough to explain who 'we' were.” “The Duchesse de Luygnes and her family, my Lady.” “You travelled with them; and in what capacity, pray?” “I was called companion to the Princesse de Courcelles, the eldest daughter of the Duchess, my Lady.” “Companion!--why, you must have been a mere child at the time?” “A mere child, my Lady; but they took me from the Pensionnat, to speak English with the young Princess.” “And then they took the charge of your education, I conclude?” “Yes, my Lady.” “And to what extent--or rather, in what direction; I mean, what object had they in view in choosing your studies?” “They gave me the same masters as to the young Princess, my Lady; and I was instructed in all respects as she was.” “And treated like her also, I conclude?” said Lady Dorothea, with a sneering smile. “Madame la Duchesse was ever most kind to me,” said the girl, half proudly. “Kind--yes, of course--kind, if you conducted yourself properly and to her satisfaction. A person of her condition would be kind; but I trust this did not proceed so far as to spoil you? I hope it never made you forget your station?” “I trust it did not, my Lady.” “With what part of the establishment did you live? Where did you dine?” “With the Princess, my Lady; except on _fête_ days, when we were invited to the table of the Duchess.” “I never heard of anything more absurd,--outrageously absurd. Why, are you aware, young woman, that these same friends of yours have done you irreparable mischief? They have, so to say, ruined your entire future; for how can I, and others in my station, avail myself of your services, with such habits and expectations as these?” “Certainly not expectations, my Lady. I never did or can expect such condescension from another.” “No matter; your head is filled with ideas unbefitting your condition, usages, habits, associations, all foreign to a menial station. You have been admitted to privileges the want of which would be felt as hardships. In fact, as I said before, they have done you irreparable injury. You must feel it yourself.” A very faint smile, half in deprecation of the appeal, was the only reply of the young girl.