I will tell you her history as nearly as possible in the way that she related it, but I cannot now recollect, and it were useless to repeat one half the bitter words of self-condemnation which she used.
* * * * * When quite a little girl (she said) I was sent to a school in Paris.

Oh, why did my mother send me so early from her side?
It was a worldly school--worldly to the last degree.

I learned chiefly to think that in proportion as my father was honoured and wealthy, my friends gay and extravagant, just so were my chances of happiness in life.

I had handsome clothes and rich presents, and I was a great favourite.
There was a lady, a friend of my father's, who lived in Paris, and who had liberty to take me for holidays to her house as often as she pleased.

She made a pet of me, and I spent at least half my time in her carriage or her salon.