And I make no doubt the two ladies were glad enough to avail themselves of this opportunity of seeing London.

God made the country and men the towns, it is said; and I think they made them for the women.
On returning to London I found letters from Madame de Clericy explaining this change of residence, and in the same envelope a note from Isabella (her letters were always kinder than her speech), inviting me to stay in Hyde Park Street.
"We are sufficiently old friends," she wrote, "to allow thus of a general invitation, and if it shares the usual fate of such, the fault will be yours, and not mine." The letter was awaiting me at the club, and I deemed it allowable to call in response the same afternoon.

The news of Lucille's engagement to Alphonse Giraud was ever dangling before my eyes, and I wished to get the announcement swallowed without further suspense.
Alphonse, a perfect squire of dames, was engaged in dispensing thin bread and butter when I entered the room, feeling, as I feel to this day, somewhat out of place and heavy amid the delicate ornaments and flowers of a lady's drawing-room.

My reception was not exactly warm, and I was struck by the pallor of Isabella's face, which, however, gave place to a more natural colour before long.

Madame alone showed gladness at the sight of me, and held out both her hands in a welcome full of affection.