Although they were too angry at the time to pay much heed to the Colonel's parting threats, yet when they had cooled, and had time for reflection, Mr and Mrs Stanhope were much distressed at the intelligence that their daughter was not legally married. For some days, they remained quiet, at last they thought it advisable to come to terms to save their daughter's honour. But during this delay on their part, Adele had called upon me, and introduced her husband and made me acquainted with all that had passed. They stated their intention of proceeding to Paris immediately, and although I knew that Adele's relations were of good family, yet I thought an introduction to Madame d'Albret would be of service to her. I therefore gave her one, and it proved most serviceable, for the Colonel found himself in the first society in Paris, and his wife was well received and much admired. When, therefore, Mr Stanhope made up his mind to call upon the Colonel at the address of the hotel where they had put up, he found they had left, and nobody knew where they had gone. This was a severe blow, and Mr and Mrs Stanhope were in a state of the utmost uncertainty and suspense. Now was the time for Mr Selwyn to come forward, and I despatched a note to him, requesting him to come to town. I put him in possession of Adele's history, her marriage with the Colonel, and all the particulars with which the reader is acquainted, and I pointed out to him how he should act when he called upon Mr Stanhope, which I advised him to do immediately. He followed my advice, and thus described what passed on his return. "I sent up my card to Mr and Mrs Stanhope, and was received almost as politely as the Colonel. I made no remark, but taking a chair, which was not offered to me, I said, `You have my card, Mr Stanhope, I must, in addition to my name, inform you that I am a barrister, and that my father is Judge Selwyn, who now sits on the King's Bench. You probably have met him in the circles in which you visit, although you are not acquainted with him. Your sister, Madame Bathurst, we have the pleasure of knowing.' "This introduction made them look more civil, for a Judge was with them somebody. "`My object in coming here is to speak to you relative to your daughter.' "`Do you come from the Colonel, then?' said Mrs Stanhope, sharply. "`No, madam. I have no acquaintance with the Colonel.' "`Then how do you know my daughter, sir?' "`I had the pleasure of meeting her at my father's. She stayed a short time with my family at our country seat at Kew.' "`Indeed!' exclaimed Mrs Stanhope, `well I had no idea of that. I'm sure the Judge was very kind; but, sir, you know that my daughter has married very unfortunately.' "`That she has married, madam, I am aware, but I trust not unfortunately.' "`Why, sir, she has married a colonel,--a fellow who came here and told us it was no marriage at all!'