self-confidence and quiet determination, which proved far more effectual than any amount of harshness would have done.

She was very particular as to Lisette's associates, and Miss Freeling was much approved of by her; so, after receiving the usual kind greeting, and they had spoken a little while together, Dora ventured to inquire respecting her friend's intended destination.

"Our arrangements for Lisette are not quite matured," answered the little mother; "in a day or two, I trust, they will be definitely settled."

And then, somewhat unguardedly, Dora said, "Well, please remember, dear Mrs. Audrey, if at any time she cannot be better provided for, she can always come to us; even if I should be away from home, there is mamma, who is always glad to see Lisette."

Mrs. Audrey thanked her, but before she could add more, a bell rang for some family meal, and with its peal there was the sound as of the opening of many doors; and the next moment, from every corner of the house,

there seemed to swarm forth, like bees from a hive, boys of all ages and sizes-some so far taller and larger than their Queen Bee, round whom they all clustered, that she was almost lost to sight in the group. After shaking hands with each of them, and having made her adieux to their mother, Miss Freeling was escorted downstairs, arm-in-arm with the biggest boy of all, politely handed into the carriage, and then was whirled back to Chesham Place, where she arrived just in time to dress for a home dinner-party, composed of persons all more or less uninteresting to her; many of whom went away and said how very handsome Miss Freeling was-indeed, she would be quite beautiful, if she only had a little more animation.

CHAPTER III.

LISETTE'S LOVERS.

A GREAT deal has been said and written in censure of London mothers, who seem to be looked upon as a species of human shark, ever waiting to swallow up any golden fish that may be floating on the shining surface of the stream of a London season. It is true that one hears of many instances of unpleasingly dexterous angling, most flagrant acts of manoeuvring to secure a rich prize in the matrimonial market, producing disgust in bystanders, and much jealousy and spite in the hearts of other intriguers similarly employed. But in the present day, when young ladies and gentlemen are allowed to choose their own mode of education-to change about from

tutors and governesses at home to schools for half a year or so, and back again, just as the fancy pleases them, thus entirely destroying any possible authority that might be possessed by those set over them, in fact, in these times, when young England is allowed to assert its independence from the very cradle, depend upon it, in nine cases out of ten parents have little to do with the marriages of their sons, or of their daughters either. The matter is completely taken out of their hands, and happy and thankful must they feel, when their children choose as they would have chosen for them; for they are now complete ciphers, where once they used to be the principal acting parties. And if the aspirations of mothers for their daughters are sometimes fraught with an undue amount of ambition, surely the disappointments, the destruction to their hopes, they are continually meeting with, demand some indulgence and pity. Almost every young mother, I believe, with her first baby girl on her lap, in imagination weaves a brilliant future for her darling. She looks

down on the tiny, expressionless face, and with a wave of a magic wand, invests it with the style of beauty she considers most perfect in a woman; then she lifts one waxen finger, and in fancy places on it a golden ring. No, she does not place it there—it is that beautiful little lord in the velvet jacket and knickerbockers, with his grand title, and heir to half a million at least; for she has already fixed on him for baby's husband. But will the young lord really marry this little daughter of hers? Oh no; it is only a mother's airy vision, which will vanish away, like many another fond daydream. The young lord will never cast one thought on baby-and she, who after all does not turn out by any means a beauty, will have to wed a commoner, just well enough off to keep her in comfort and respectability.

And very likely will be none the less happy! Well it is for us that there is a higher, an unerring Power and Wisdom to order and overrule events for us; happy indeed that our destinies, as well as the fates of those dearer to us than ourselves, are removed out of our weak