“Of nothing whatever, child,” said she, haughtily, “save of your having a foreign education, and wishing, or hoping, to find some engagement as a governess or a teacher;” and the last words were drawled out languidly, as though they were suggestive of all that was wearisome and a bore. “So you must be good enough to explain who 'we' were.”
“The Duchesse de Luygnes and her family, my Lady.”
“You travelled with them; and in what capacity, pray?”
“I was called companion to the Princesse de Courcelles, the eldest daughter of the Duchess, my Lady.”
“Companion!—why, you must have been a mere child at the time?”
“A mere child, my Lady; but they took me from the Pensionnat, to speak English with the young Princess.”
“And then they took the charge of your education, I conclude?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“And to what extent—or rather, in what direction; I mean, what object had they in view in choosing your studies?”
“They gave me the same masters as to the young Princess, my Lady; and I was instructed in all respects as she was.”