On our arrival at the gardens, we found young Mr Selwyn waiting at the entrance to take us to Mrs Selwyn and his sisters, who had come from their house at Kew. About half-an-hour afterwards, we fell in with Monsieur Gironac, madame, Adele, and Lionel. Mr Selwyn greeted Lionel warmly, introducing him to his family; and, on my presenting the Gironacs and Adele, was very polite and friendly, for he knew from me how kind they had been. Adele Chabot never looked so well; her costume was most becoming; she had put on her _air mutine_, and was admired by all that passed us. We were all grouped together close to the band, when who should appear right in front of us but Madame Bathurst. At that time, Caroline was on the one arm of Mr Selwyn, and I on the other. "Caroline!" exclaimed Madame Bathurst, "and you here!" turning to me. While she remained in astonishment, Caroline ran up and kissed her. "You recollect, Mr Selwyn, aunt, do you not?" "Yes," said Madame Bathurst, returning the salute of Mr Selwyn, "but still I am surprised." "Come with me, aunt, and I will tell you all about it." Caroline then walked to a seat at a little distance, sat down, and entered into conversation with Madame Bathurst. In a few minutes, Madame Bathurst rose, and came up to our party, with Caroline on her arm. She first thanked Mr Selwyn for his kindness in bringing her niece to the fete, and then turning to me, said with some emotion, as she offered her hand, "Valerie, I hope we are friends. We have mistaken each other." I felt all my resentment gone, and took her offered hand. She then led me aside and said, "I must beg your pardon, Valerie, I did not--" "Nay," replied I, interrupting her, "I was too hasty and too proud." "You are a good kind-hearted girl, Valerie--but let us say no more about it. Now introduce me to your friends." I did so. Madame Bathurst was most gracious, and appeared very much struck with Adele Chabot, and entered into conversation with her, and certainly Adele would not have been taken for a French teacher by her appearance. There was something very aristocratic about her. While they were in converse, a very gentlemanlike man raised his hat to Madame Bathurst, as I thought, and passed on. Adele coloured up, I observed, as if she knew him, but did not return the salute, which Madame Bathurst did. "Do you know that gentleman, Mademoiselle Chabot?" inquired Caroline. "I thought he bowed to you, and not to aunt." "I have seen him before," replied Adele, carelessly, "but I forget his name." "Then I can tell you," added Madame Bathurst, "It is Colonel Jervis, a very fashionable man, but not a very great favourite of mine, not that I have any thing to accuse him of, particularly, except that he is said to be a very worldly man." "Is he of good family?" inquired Adele.