Such interest in a young child naturally occasioned remark in London society, and the question of her paternity has never been clearly settled; in the gossip of the time both the Duke of Queensberry and Selwyn were said to be her father.  The characters of the two men, however, and various points in their correspondence, seem to fix this relation upon the Duke of Queensberry.  Selwyn’s interest was that of a man who though without children had a strong and unusual affection for the young.  He looked forward to the pleasure her development and education would be to him, and to the solace of her companionship in old age.  She enlisted his sympathy and devotion.  From the first time he saw her he wished to adopt her, and until the end of his life she was first in his thought, and all his circle approved of his little friend.

He soon made provision for her in his will, writing to Lord Carlisle July 26, 1774, that he must no longer delay in securing her future.  In 1776 he placed her at school.  After infinite trouble, Campden House was chosen, where every day he either saw her or received communications from the schoolmistress relative to her health, comfort, and happiness.

“Mrs. Terry presents her compliments to Mr. Selwyn; has the pleasure to assure him that dear Mademoiselle Fagniani is as well to-day as her good friend could possibly wish her to be.  She is this minute engaged in a party at high romps.”

“Mrs. Terry presents her best compliments to Mr. Selwyn; is very sorry to find that he is so uneasy.  The dear child’s spirits are not depressed.  She is very lively; ate a good dinner; and behaves just like other children.  She hopes Mr. Selwyn will make no scruple of coming to-morrow morning, or staying his hour, or more if he likes it; she will then talk to him about the head; but in the meantime begs he will not suppose that the dear child suffers by his absence, or that anything is neglected; for if Mrs. Terry thought Mr. Selwyn could suppose such a thing, she would wish to resign the charge.  She begs he will come to-morrow.”

Mie Mie was a disturbing element, if also a satisfaction, in Selwyn’s life, for at all times overhanging present pleasure in her company was the dread of losing her.  In August of 1776 the Marchesa Fagniani and her husband came to England.  Selwyn had a fairly satisfactory interview, in which it was settled that the child should not leave him for a year.  Before the time had expired he was exhausting every means to procure a longer delay; he even applied to the Austrian Ambassador that the Governor of Milan should use his influence with the family; but her return was insisted upon, and in August of 1777 Mie Mie left England to join her parents in Paris.  The most careful and elaborate arrangements were made by Selwyn for her safety and comfort while travelling, and a list of the houses where stops were to be made given to faithful attendants.