M. and Mademoiselle de Tourville, according to the after-testimony of their landlord, Mr. Osborn, had, from the time of their arrival in England, a very constant visitor at their lodgings in King Street.  He was a tall French gentleman, of perhaps thirty years of age, and distinguished appearance.  His name was La Houssaye.  He was very frequently with them indeed, and generally he and M. de Tourville would go out together in the evening, the latter gentleman not returning home till very late.  This was more especially the case after Mademoiselle de Tourville ceased to reside with her father.

Among the fashionable articles with which Mrs. Rushton was anxious to surround herself, was a companion of accomplishments and high-breeding, who might help her to rub off the rust she feared to have contracted by her connection with the city.  A Parisian lady of high lineage and perfect breeding might, she thought, be easily obtained; and an advertisement brought Mademoiselle de Tourville to her house.  Mrs. Rushton was delighted with the air and manners of the charming applicant; and after a slight inquiry by letter to an address of reference given by the young lady, immediately engaged her, on exceedingly liberal terms, for six months—­that being the longest period for which Mademoiselle de Tourville could undertake to remain.  She also stipulated for permission to pass the greater part of one day in the week—­that which might happen to be most convenient to Mrs. Rushton—­with her father.  One other condition testified alike to M. de Tourville’s present poverty and her own filial piety:  it was, that her salary should be paid weekly—­she would not accept it in advance—­avowedly for her parent’s necessities, who, poor exile! and tears stood in Eugenie’s dark lustrous eyes as she spoke, was ever trembling on the brink of the grave from an affection of the heart with which he had been long afflicted.  Mademoiselle de Tourville, I should state, spoke English exceedingly well as far as the rules of syntax and the meanings of words went, and with an accent charming in its very defectiveness.

She had resided with Mrs. Rushton, who on all occasions treated her with the greatest kindness and consideration, for rather more than two months, when an incident occurred which caused the scales to fall suddenly from the astonished mother’s eyes, and in a moment revealed to her the extent of the risk and mischief she had so heedlessly incurred.  The carriage was at the door, and it struck Mrs. Rushton as she was descending the stairs that Mademoiselle de Tourville, who had complained of headache in the morning, would like to take an airing with her.  The sound of the harp issuing from the drawing-room, and the faintly-distinguished tones of her voice in some plaintive silver melody perhaps suggested the invitation; and thither the mistress of the mansion at once proceeded.  The folding-doors of the back drawing-room were partially open when Mrs. Rushton, on kind thoughts intent, entered