I then walked out of the room, and as I passed Lady M--, and observed her confusion and vexation, I felt that it was she who was humiliated, and not me. I went up to my room and commenced my preparations for immediate departure, and had been more than an hour busy in packing up, when Amy came into my room. "Oh, Valerie, how sorry I am--but you have behaved just as I think that you ought to have done; and how very kind of you not to say that I told you. My mother was so angry after you left; said that the maids must have been listening, and declares she will give them all warning; but I know that she will not do that. She spoke about your meeting a young man, and kissing going on; but you have already explained all that." "Amy," replied I, "after I am gone, take an opportunity of saying to Lady M--, that you mentioned this to me, and tell her that my reply was, if Lady M--knew who that young man was, how he is connected, and how large a fortune he will inherit, she would be very glad to see him kiss one of her daughter's hands with a different feeling from that which induced him to kiss mine." "I will, depend upon it," said Amy, "and then mamma will think that she has lost a good husband for me." "She will meet him some of these days," replied I; "and what is more, he will defend me from any attack made on that score." "I will tell her that, also," said Amy, "it will make her careful of what she says." One of the servants then knocked at the door, and said, that Lady M-- wished to see Miss Amy. "Wish me good-bye now," said I, "for you may not be permitted to see me again." The dear girl embraced me cordially, and, with tears in her eyes, left the room. I remained till I had finished packing, and then sat down. Shortly afterwards her ladyship's maid came in, and delivered me an envelope from her ladyship, enclosing the salary due to me, with Lady M--'s compliments written outside. I saw no more of Lady M--or her daughter that evening. I went to bed, and, as in my former changes, I reflected what steps I should take. As for the treatment I had received, I was now to a certain degree hardened to it, and my feelings certainly were not so acute as when, the first time, I had received a lesson of what I might expect through life from the heartlessness and selfishness of the world; but in the present case there was a difficulty which did not exist in the former--I was going away without knowing where I was to go. After a little thought, I determined that I would seek Madame Gironac, and ascertain whether she could not receive me until I had decided upon my future plans.