Mrs.Val liked to have about her some confidential gentleman; and as she never thought of placing her confidence in her husband, she was prone to select first one man and then another as her taste and interest dictated.

Immediately after their marriage, Victoire and Clem had consented to join housekeeping with their parent.

Nothing could be more pleasant than this; their income was unembarrassed, and Mrs.Val, for the first time in her life, was able to set up her carriage.

Among the effects arising from this cause, the female Neverbends, who had lately been worshippers of Gertrude, veered round in their idolatry, and paid their vows before Mrs.Val's new yellow panels.

In this new carriage now came the four ladies to pay a morning visit to Mrs.Tudor.It was wonderful to see into how small dimensions the Misses Neverbend had contrived to pack, not themselves, but their crinoline.
As has before been hinted, Gertrude did not love Mrs.Val; nor did she love Clem the danseuse; nor did she specially love the Misses Neverbend.