"I would rather die than apply to him for money," answered Julia; "but my poor child will never see the light," and she burst into tears, "unless I see its beautiful father once more." "Will once do?" I asked. "I would be patient and resigned if I could kiss his heavenly eyes once more." "_Et puis?_" said Fanny. "_Sans doute! ça va sans dire_," added Julia. "_Pas toujours_," I remarked however, giving my hand to Julia, "there is my hand on it, it shall be done, ma'am, and before this week is out, we pledge to you our royal word!" Strange to say, this promise satisfied Julia, who immediately dried up her tears. After dinner, a young member of Parliament, of immense fortune, brought his carriage for Fanny. He was a Hampshire gentleman, of the name of Napier, who had been lately very attentive to her; but Fanny did not like him. He was a long-backed youth, with very fine eyes, and that was all: a sort of home-bred young man, not ungentlemanlike but wanting tact and spirit. Soon after his arrival Fanny took me out of the room and asked me how I liked him. "Oh! not in the least," I answered. "I wish," said Fanny, "he would attach himself to poor Julia: her children and her debts and her natural turn for extravagance will send her to a prison, unless a rich man like this would take her under his protection. Now, as I am determined not to have him myself I have left them together, that he may draw her into conversation, and find out the truth of her being one of the most elegant women in England." "You are very good," said I, laughing. "What else can be done?" Fanny asked. "If Julia goes to prison, she will immediately destroy herself; and how easily this Napier, who has more than twenty thousand a year, can assist her and pay off all her debts, seeing that he lives on three thousand, and possesses in hard cash at his banker's more than a hundred thousand pounds." "Oh! the vile, stingy monster!" said I, "where did he spring from?" "From Oxford College," answered Fanny; "but his estates are in Ireland." When we returned to the drawing-room, Napier did seem to have fallen in love with Julia's manner, and to be delighted with her conversation. However, he soon placed himself by Fanny's side, to make as much love as usual. "This is very poor sort of amusement for me, ladies," said I, "so I shall wish you all a very good night." Fanny declared that she would accompany me. Napier called her a coquette, and a false deceiver, reminding her of her promise to allow him to see her home. "Cannot help it," answered Fanny, kissing her hand to him, and hurrying downstairs. Napier offered me his arm, to follow, and Julia held up her finger significantly to me, saying, "Remember." "_Oui, oui_," was my reply; and, after Napier had handed us into our carriage, we requested him to return and chat with Julia. "A niece of Lord Carysfort," added I, "daughter to a maid of honour, the Honourable Mrs. Storer, and the most graceful creature breathing."