I found her in her dressing-room, laid up with a violent cold. She received me, as usual, most kindly, and making me sit down by her, asked if I could form any opinion as to the cause of my dismission from my situation.

I assured her of my perfect ignorance of it, and she said

"I quite believe you, my dear, but I can enlighten you. Do you remember the young man who you mentioned to me procured the hackney coach for you the last time you dined here?"

"Yes, madam," I replied; "and I saw him afterwards, to my surprise, in the hall of Pryddstowe House, about a fortnight ago."

"I know it," replied her ladyship; "and he is the cause of your being sent from thence."

"He the cause,-how very cruel of him; what could I have done to have offended him, or what influence had he with the marchioness to drive me away

?

"Oh! my dear Theresa," said Lady Eustace, laughing, "he had not the slightest wish to

drive you away; far from it, it was rather his wish to detain you."

I felt more in the dark than ever, which her ladyship seeing, she explained that the young man in question was the Earl of Beauton, eldest son of the Marchioness of Pryddstowe, who, horror-struck at his civility to me in calling a hackney coach, (which was reported to her ladyship by Mrs. Watson,) and further shocked at his expressed admiration of me to his young sisters, determined at once to get rid of so dangerous an inmate, as she was pleased to call me, when stating the whole affair to Lady Eustace.

The latter felt rather angry at my unceremonious dismissal, and was only appeased by the assurances of the proud marchioness, that she acquitted me of all blame, but added that it was necessary for the honour of her family to send me away before her "foolish son had himself made me aware of his admiration.

Thus, for no fault of my own, was I again thrown upon the bounty of my patroness, who invited me to her house, assuring me

that she would endeavour to procure me another situation.

After spending a few more days with good Mrs. Davies, I again took up my abode in Grosvenor Square, and did my utmost to amuse Lady Eustace during her indisposition.

CHAPTER VII.

"Oh! you canker-blossom,

You thief of love; what, have you come by night, And stol'n my love's heart from him?”

SHAKSPEARE.

IT so happened that one morning while I was playing on my guitar, and accompanying it with my voice, a friend of her ladyship called, and was admitted into the dressing-room. I was on the point of retiring, when Lady Eustace desired me to remain, saying, "I am sure Lady Dalton will be pleased to hear you play, she is fond of music."

After some little conversation, I was requested to sing some of my little French songs to the guitar. The lady expressed herself much pleased, and inquired whether I was the

young person whom Lady Eustace had recommended as under-governess to the Marchioness of Pryddstowe.

My patroness replied in the affirmative, adding that I had quitted her ladyship, and was looking out for another situation.

"Indeed!" said Lady Dalton, "why I am at this moment in search of such a person for my little girl. Sir Henry and myself do not like to have an elderly lady, they are in general too cross and strict."

Finding that I should suit her in every respect, I was engaged on the spot, and at the same salary I had with the marchioness.

I was much pleased with the appearance and manner of my new mistress, who was one of the loveliest women almost I had ever seen, and with an extremely sweet expression of It was settled that I was to go

countenance.

to her on the following day.

In the mean time Lady Eustace advised me to put the twenty pounds I had received from the marchioness, the ten pounds from herself, and the twenty pounds arising from the sale of