"No," replied he; "I may have by and bye, but how could I possibly obtain one at present?" A thought struck me. "Well, Lionel, you do not know my history; but I was once very intimate with a lady at Paris, and, although we parted bad friends, she has since written kindly to me, and I believe her to have been sincere in so doing. I will give you a letter of introduction to her, but do not blame me if I have been deceived in her a second time." I went to the table and wrote the following short note-- "My dear Madame D'Albret,-- "This letter will be presented to you by a Mr Lionel Dempster, a young Englishman of fortune, and a great friend of mine. He is going to reside at Paris to improve himself, until he comes of age; and I give him this introduction to you for two reasons; the first, because I want to prove to you that, although my feelings would not permit me to accept your last kind offer, I have long forgotten and forgiven any little injustice you did me: and the second, because I feel convinced that in your society, and that which you keep, he will gain more advantage than perhaps in any other in Paris.--Yours with esteem,-- "Valerie de Chatenoeuf." "There, Lionel, this may be of use to you; if not, write and let me know. You will of course let me hear from you occasionally?" "May Heaven preserve you, Miss Valerie!" replied Lionel. "I only hope the time may arrive when I may be able to prove my gratitude." Lionel kissed my hand, and the tears rolled down his cheeks as he quitted the room. "He is a charming young man," said Madame Gironac, as soon as the door was shut. "He is a very superior young man in my opinion," replied I; "and I am most anxious that he should do well. I did not think it possible that I ever could have written again to Madame d'Albret, but my good-will towards him induced me. There is Monsieur Gironac's knock, so now for a quarrel, or a reconciliation, which is it to be?" "Oh, we must reconcile first, and then have a quarrel afterwards: that is the established rule." Monsieur Gironac soon joined us. We passed a very lively evening, and it was arranged that I should in three days take up my quarters at their house. The next day Mr Selwyn called at the time appointed, and I made over to him the box and papers. He told me that he had seen Mrs Green, and had had her full confession of what took place, in corroboration of all that was stated by Lady R--and old Roberts, and that he had written to Mr Armiger Dempster, who had succeeded to the property of Lionel's father. I then told him that I wished to go with him to the bank, to lodge the money I then had, and to obtain Lady R--'s jewel-case which was deposited there. "Nothing like the time present," said Mr Selwyn; "my carriage is at the door. I will have the pleasure of taking you there and then returning with you. But I have another appointment, and must be so impolite as to request that you will hurry your toilet as much as possible."