that I live by singing, and by selling the remnants of our family
lace."

"I hope Lady Essendine paid you a decent price," said the colonel,
pleasantly.

Madame Cyprienne shook her head, with a little laugh--

"She has been very kind--exceedingly kind--but she knows how to drive
a bargain: all women do."

"What a shame! And have you sold it all? You had better entrust me
with the disposal of the rest."

"Oh! Colonel Wilders, I could not think of giving you so much
trouble."

"But I will; I should like to. Send it to me. My chambers are in Ryder
Street; or, better still, I will call for it if you will tell me
where," said the colonel, artfully.

"I am lodging in a very poor place, not at all such as the Countess de
Saint Clair should receive in. But I am not ashamed of it; it is in
Frith Street, Soho, NO. 29A; but I do not think you ought to
come there."

"A most delightful part of the town," said the colonel, who at the
moment would have approved of Whitechapel or the New Cut. "When shall
I call?"