OF THE FOREST. 21

these was named Susette, and was, in point
of external perfection, the rose of the par-
terre—a blooming, lively young person, but
of a high and haughty spirit when opposed ;
yet one, I think, which might have been led
to anything by a kind and gentle hand.

Susette was a chief favourite of Made-
moiselle Vietoire, and had her warm par-
tisans, her open admirers, and secret ene-
mies, in the little establishment. Neither
was she without her rival; for what favour-
ite is so happy as not to have sometimes
reason to dread the influence of another?
Mademoiselle was capricious, and whereas at
one time she caressed Susette, at another
time she was all complacency to Fanchon,
the only young lady amongst the pupils of
Madame Bulé whose pretensions could be
brought in comparison with those of Su-
sette: but whereas I have called Susette a
rose, Fanchon, whose hair was of a bright
and rich auburn, might best have been com-
pared to the golden lily, the pride and glory
of the oriental gardens—that flower which
is, ay some pretend, emblazoned on the arms
of that noble house, the star of which at one