I sat down and pressed my forehead with my hands: my knowledge of the world was increasing too fast. I began to hate it--hate men, and women even more than men. What lessons had I learnt within the last year. First Madame d'Albret, then Madame Bathurst, and now Lady R--. Was there no such thing as friendship in the world--no such thing as generosity? In my excited state it appeared to me that there was not. All was false and hollow. Self was the idol of mankind, and all worshipped at its altar. After a time I became more composed, I thought of little Madame Gironac, and the recollection of her disinterested kindness put me in a better frame of mind. Mortified as I was, I could not help feeling that it was only the vanity of Lady R--and her desire to shine, to which I had been made a sacrifice, and that she had no intention of wounding my feelings. Still, to remain with her after what had been told to me by Lady M--was impossible. And then I reflected upon what steps I should take. I did not like to tell Lady R--the real grounds of my leaving her. I thought it would be prudent to make some excuse and part good friends. At last it occurred to me that her intention of going to France would be a good excuse. I could tell her that I was afraid of meeting my relatives. Having decided upon this point, I then canvassed the words of Lady M--. What could she offer me in her house? She had three daughters, but they were all out, as the phrase is, and their education supposed to be completed. This was a mystery I could not solve, and I was obliged to give up thinking about it, and at last I fell asleep. The next moment I woke up, jaded in mind, and with a bad headache, but I dressed and went down to breakfast. Lady R--asked after my health, and then said, "I observed you talking very confidentially with Lady M--. I was not aware that you knew her. Between ourselves, Valerie, she is one of my models." "Indeed," replied I, "I do not think that her ladyship is aware of the honour conferred upon her." "Very likely not, but in the last work she was portrayed to the life. Lady M--is a schemer, always plotting; her great object now is to get her three daughters well married." "I believe that most mothers wish that, Lady R--." "I grant it, and perhaps manoeuvre as much, but with more skill than she does, for every one sees the game that she is playing, and the consequence is, that the young men shy off, which they probably would not if she were quiet, for they are really clever, unaffected, and natural girls, very obliging, and without any pride; but how came you to be so intimate with Lady M--?" "Lady M--and her eldest daughter were staying for some time with Madame Bathurst in the country when I was there." "Oh, I understand, that accounts for it."