length; 'but as they were starving I could hardly turn them away.'

'Cast your bread on the waters and it shall come back after many
days--buttered,' said Selina, giving her own version of the text.

Madame laughed.

'M. Vandeloup talks well,' she observed.

'So did HE,' replied Selina, with a sniff, referring to Mr Villiers;
'once bitten, twice shy.'

'Quite right, Selina,' replied Mrs Villiers, coolly; 'but you are
going too fast. I'm not going to fall in love with my servant.'

'You're a woman,' retorted Selina, undauntedly, for she had not much
belief in her own sex.

'Yes, who has been tricked and betrayed by a man,' said Madame,
fiercely; 'and do you think because I succour a starving human being
I am attracted by his handsome face? You ought to know me better
than that, Selina. I have always been true to myself,' and without
another word she left the room.

Selina stood still for a moment, then deliberately put away her
work, slapped the cat in order to relieve her feelings, and poked
the fire vigorously.

'I don't like him,' she said, emphasizing every word with a poke.
'He's too smooth and handsome, his eyes ain't true, and his tongue's