"Such being the case," resumed the widow, "it appears to me evident, that the first object to be attended to is the getting into good society; and if, in order to obtain this, I find it necessary to bring forward Agnes Willoughby, it must certainly be done ... especially as her singing is much more remarkable, I believe, than even the beauty of her person." "_Et he po-se-ble?_" said Miss Morrison, joyfully. "Then, in that case, _share a me_, there is nothing in the whole world, of any sort or kind, that can prevent your being sought out and invited to every fashionable house in the place. An ugly girl, that sings well, may easily get herself asked wherever she chooses to go; but a beautiful one, _aveck ung talong samblabel_, may not only go herself, but carry with her as many of her friends as she pleases." "Really!..." said Mrs. Barnaby, thoughtfully. "This is a great advantage; ... and you feel sure, Miss Morrison, that if I do make up my mind to bring her forward, this will be the case?" "_O we_," replied her friend confidently, "_set ung fay certaing_ ... there is no doubt about it; and if you will, I am ready to make you a bet of five guineas, play or pay, that if you contrive to make her be seen and heard once, you will have your table covered with visiting cards before the end of the week ... _nong douty paw_." "Well!... we must consider about it, Miss Morrison; ... but I should like, I think, to go first to some of these crowded places that you talk about without her, just to see ... that is, if you would be kind enough to go with me." "Most certainly I will," replied Miss Morrison, "_aveck leplu grang plesire_.... Suppose we go to the sale-rooms this morning? There is a vast variety of most useful and beautiful things to be sold to-day, and as they always go for nothing, you had better bid a little. It is thought stylish." "And must certainly draw attention," said Mrs. Barnaby, with vivacity. "You are quite right ... _say sa_, ... and it is just about time to get ready.... All our gentlemen will be there, you may be sure; and perhaps, you know, some one of them may join us, which is a great advantage, ... for nothing makes women look so much like nobody as having no man near them.... As to marriage, I don't think of it for myself ... _jay pre mong party_; ... but I confess I do hate to be anywhere without the chance of a man's coming to speak to one ... _mays, eel foh meytra mong shappo ... o reyvoyr!_" Mrs. Barnaby now found herself at last obliged to confess she did not understand her. "Of course I know French perfectly," she said; "but as I have never been in the country, and not much in the habit of speaking it, even at home, I cannot always follow you.... I would give a great deal, Miss Morrison, to speak the language as beautifully as you do!"