and esteem. Where could she find a companion with whom this could
be more safely anticipated than with M. Lacordaire?

And so she argued the question within her own breast in a manner not
unfriendly to that gentleman. That there was as yet one great
hindrance she at once saw; but then that might be remedied by a
word. She did not know what was his income or his profession. The
chambermaid, whom she had interrogated, had told her that he was a
"marchand." To merchants, generally, she felt that she had no
objection. The Barings and the Rothschilds were merchants, as was
also that wonderful man at Bombay, Sir Hommajee Bommajee, who was
worth she did no know how many thousand lacs of rupees.

That it would behove her, on her own account and that of her
daughters, to take care of her own little fortune in contracting any
such connection, that she felt strongly. She would never so commit
herself as to put security in that respect out of her power. But
then she did not think that M. Lacordaire would ever ask her to do
so; at any rate, she was determined on this, that there should never
be any doubt on that matter; and as she firmly resolved on this, she
again took up her book, and for a minute or two made an attempt to
read.

"Mamma," said Mummy, "will M. Lacordaire go up to the school to see
Lilian when you go away from this?"

"Indeed, I cannot say, my dear. If Lilian is a good girl, perhaps
he may do so now and then."

"And will he write to you and tell you how she is?"