engaged in a party at high romps."

"Mrs. Terry presents her best compliments to Mr. Selwyn; is very
sorry to find that he is so uneasy. The dear child's spirits are not
depressed. She is very lively; ate a good dinner; and behaves just
like other children. She hopes Mr. Selwyn will make no scruple of
coming to-morrow morning, or staying his hour, or more if he likes
it; she will then talk to him about the head; but in the meantime
begs he will not suppose that the dear child suffers by his absence,
or that anything is neglected; for if Mrs. Terry thought Mr. Selwyn
could suppose such a thing, she would wish to resign the charge. She
begs he will come to-morrow."

Mie Mie was a disturbing element, if also a satisfaction, in
Selwyn's life, for at all times overhanging present pleasure in her
company was the dread of losing her. In August of 1776 the Marchesa
Fagniani and her husband came to England. Selwyn had a fairly
satisfactory interview, in which it was settled that the child
should not leave him for a year. Before the time had expired he was
exhausting every means to procure a longer delay; he even applied to
the Austrian Ambassador that the Governor of Milan should use his
influence with the family; but her return was insisted upon, and in
August of 1777 Mie Mie left England to join her parents in Paris.
The most careful and elaborate arrangements were made by Selwyn for
her safety and comfort while travelling, and a list of the houses
where stops were to be made given to faithful attendants.

He dreaded however the pain of parting with the child, and when the
day of her departure arrived he absented himself to avoid the
farewell, and his spirits and health suffered from her loss. Two