"Mademoiselle Chatenoeuf is not, I am sorry to say, in good circumstances, monsieur," replied Madame Gironac. "Then I will promise that she shall be well rewarded for her exertions, if she will consent to sing in the chapel--but do you consent?" "I have no objection, sir," replied I. "Allow me, then, to call the gentleman who presides over the choir," said the priest, going out. "Accept by all means, Mademoiselle Valerie. It will be an introduction for you as a music-mistress, and very advantageous." "I agree with you," replied I, "and I like singing sacred music." The priest returned with a gentleman, who told me that he had listened with great pleasure to my singing, and begged, as a favour, that I would sing him a solo, which he had brought with him. As I could sing at sight, I did so. He was satisfied, and it was agreed that I should come on Saturday, at twelve, to practice with the rest of the choir. The following Sunday I sang with them, and also sang the solos. After the service was over, I received three guineas for my performance, and was informed that a similar sum would be given to me every Sunday on which I sang. My voice was much admired; and, when it was known that I gave lessons, I very soon had engagements from many Catholic families. My charges to them were moderate, five shillings a lesson of one hour. The next channel was through Monsieur and Madame Gironac. He recommended me to a gentleman whom he taught, as a music-mistress for his sisters and daughters, and she to all her various customers and employers. I soon obtained several pupils by her exertions. The third was from an intimacy I had formed with an acquaintance of Madame Gironac, with a Mademoiselle Adele Chabot, who was of a good French family, but earning her livelihood as a French teacher in one of the most fashionable schools in Kensington.