6

Well, I was going to write it, but I will speak it-Unless you choose to have ten thousand pounds settled on you; to make over your business to your niece; and to retire comfortably.'

No. You are most kind and generous. You always were, save for a short time, but my answer will be now, always, no. A few days have shown me that I want employment, and I shall be happy here. Our secret is entirely our own; as for the small matter which, to spite you, I wrote up, it was done so artistically that I doubt if the painter could read it. No, Lord Festiniog, leave me to be happy in my own way, but let the boy come to me. I wish to see the boy sometimes. It is not much to ask. Send Barri.'

CHAPTER XI.

MADAME.

'I SUPPOSE, aunt Arnaud, that

you have heard

from my sister Clotilde,' said Heloise within

a week of the last conversation.

day.'

pose.

'Well, my dear, I have. I heard yester

Then she is coming at once, I sup

'Why, no; I do not think that she is coming at all. I am afraid, my dear, that your grandmother is coming instead.'

Le bon Dieu ne le per-' Heloise had got as far as that, when she was stopped by a look from Mrs. Arnaud, so she never said,

'mettra jamais;' which was what she meant to say. Mrs. Arnaud rode the high English horse over her at once.

Family circumstances,' said Mrs. Arnaud, solemnly, have for certain reasons. brought about a coolness between my mother and myself. Those circumstances and reasons are now removed. I shall welcome my mother as a daughter should.'

"But, grandmamma,' said Heloise, looking as cross as she could, and shrugging her shoulders.

6

She is your grandmother, my dear, and my mother; you should remember that.'

'I am not likely to forget it, aunt. I came here to escape from her, and now she is coming after me. I thought that we were going to be so comfortable.'

My child,' said Mrs. Arnaud, have you
What have you ever done

earned comfort?

which should give you the right of avoiding

your grandmother? ›

Well, if you come to that, aunt, what have you done which should give you the right of avoiding your grandmother?'

'My grandmother is in Heaven,' said Mrs. Arnaud.

'I wish mine was,' said Heloise.

'Child, you talk nonsense! Child, you are a fool! Your grandmother is worth ten of you or me. She has strong political opinions, and is of the old fashion; but there are very few women in Europe like her.'

'Very well, aunt,' said Heloise: 'I will submit, I never did anything else. How long is it since you saw her?'

'Twenty-two years. I informed her that I had made a certain discovery. She most generously believed me, without waiting for

further proofs, and extended to me her full

forgiveness.'

'You won't stand her,' said Heloise, 'I can tell you that. I will be all obedience, but it is hard that a poor girl like myself should find no protection in Europe. However,' she added to herself, the remedy is always in my own hands.'

A great friendship had arisen in this short time between Heloise and her aunt's ill-tempered maid, Rachel. Friendships of this kind are made up of similarities and contrasts. But, Victor Hugo apart, an old, cross, and ugly woman may have a strong friendship for a very young, well-tempered, and beautiful woman, if they have anything in common. Rachel was old, ugly, and cross; Heloise was young, beautiful, and very amiable. Rachel had, at the first, been strongly opposed to the introduction of