CHAPTER VII.

"My prime of life in wandering spent and care: Impell'd, with steps unceasing, to pursue

Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view;
That like the circle bounding earth and skies,
Allures from far, yet, as I follow, flies;

My fortune leads to traverse realms alone,
And find no spot of all the world my own."

GOLDSMITH.

It was a cold, cheerless day in March when I left Calais, and as the packet neared the shores of England, a shudder came over me, as I recollected that I had not one friend, one relation, to welcome me. Driven from a most respectable and comfortable shelter by the bare appearance of him who had sworn to protect me, I felt more miserable, more desolate than I can describe. My present

disconsolate condition became still more apparent, when every one on board but myself seemed to have some friend, some protector, or at least some companion. I alone appeared an outcast in the midst of a crowd. I followed in the train of a family who had come over in the same packet, and entered the same hotel with them; and as I felt afraid to appear quite alone, I requested the lady's-maid to allow me to accompany her. She willingly and kindly consented, and I was glad and thankful to occupy a bed that night in her room. The following day, the family to whom she was attached started very early for London, and I intended to take one of the middle-day coaches for the same place, in order that I might put myself once more under the protection of Mrs. Davies, till I could again succeed in getting into a family.

After breakfast I walked out for half an hour, in hopes by exertion I might get rid of the languor that so dreadfully oppressed me. I felt as if I were to be for ever driven from place to place, with no hope of an abiding

shelter. Despair seemed creeping over me, and I turned to seek the retirement of my little room at the inn.

In passing the Ship Hotel, which I had occupied when last at Dover with the earl's family, my eyes fell on a placard at the coffeeroom window; it was as follows:

"Wanted, a young person to attend on a lady in the capacity of occasional companion and lady's-maid. She must speak French well, and have no objection to travel. No French-woman need apply."

As I read this, I felt inclined to answer it; I was in want of such a situation, and it might spare me the trouble of seeking further. I longed for retirement and repose, but I felt convinced it was my duty to exert myself. I lingered near the window, and read the placard over again. At the bottom of it was written-" N.B. Apply for particulars at the bar."

I summoned up resolution and entered the hotel, and, addressing the landlady, who, remembering me, was very civil, and telling

her my errand, she called a waiter, and desired him to inform Lady Henry Villeroy that a young person wished to see her.

The man soon returned, begging me to follow him up-stairs. I did so, and was shown into a drawing-room, where, lying on a sofa, was a lady about twenty-eight years of age, a handsome brunette, but apparently in illhealth. At the first glance I thought that she was a foreigner, and I was not deceived. She was a Spanish lady, and her husband, Lord Henry Villeroy, who was standing at a window, was addressing her in her native language.

After a few preliminary questions, Lord Henry asked me the names of the different persons with whom I had lived, before I went into the family of Lord Ruperta. I mentioned, amongst others, Mrs. Colonel D'Arcy.

"That is fortunate," observed Lord Henry, 66 as the colonel is now here at the barracks with his regiment; and as I know him well, there can be no objection to my being re

ferred to him, and it will save the trouble of writing to the Dowager Lady Ruperta."

I felt much disconcerted at the idea of applying, as it were, for my character to Colonel D'Arcy, after what had passed at our last meeting; and I thought Lord Henry not only observed, but misconstrued, the slight emotion I betrayed, for he looked very grave and earnestly at me; and in answer to his wife's remark, that she was much pleased at my appearance and manner, and should like to engage me at once, he said, by no means, till he had seen Colonel D'Arcy. Though this was said in Spanish, which I did not perfectly understand, I was quite sure that was the meaning. They then dismissed me, desiring me to call again in three hours.

I accordingly returned, sad and solitary, to my inn, where I remained till the time had expired, when I again repaired to the Ship Hotel, and was shown immediately into the same room, where I found Lord and Lady Henry Villeroy as before. They received me with