skein of thread in a tangle, and the note was ingeniously folded into a
perfect square, with the direction squeezed up into the right-hand
corner, as if it were ashamed of itself. The back of the epistle was
pleasingly ornamented with a large red wafer, which, with the addition of
divers ink-stains, bore a marvellous resemblance to a black beetle
trodden upon. One thing, however, was perfectly clear to the perplexed
Mrs. Tibbs. Somebody was to call at twelve. The drawing-room was
forthwith dusted for the third time that morning; three or four chairs
were pulled out of their places, and a corresponding number of books
carefully upset, in order that there might be a due absence of formality.
Down went the piece of stair-carpet before noticed, and up ran Mrs. Tibbs
'to make herself tidy.'

The clock of New Saint Pancras Church struck twelve, and the Foundling,
with laudable politeness, did the same ten minutes afterwards, Saint
something else struck the quarter, and then there arrived a single lady
with a double knock, in a pelisse the colour of the interior of a damson
pie; a bonnet of the same, with a regular conservatory of artificial
flowers; a white veil, and a green parasol, with a cobweb border.

The visitor (who was very fat and red-faced) was shown into the
drawing-room; Mrs. Tibbs presented herself, and the negotiation
commenced.

'I called in consequence of an advertisement,' said the stranger, in a
voice as if she had been playing a set of Pan's pipes for a fortnight
without leaving off.

'Yes!' said Mrs. Tibbs, rubbing her hands very slowly, and looking the
applicant full in the face--two things she always did on such occasions.

'Money isn't no object whatever to me,' said the lady, 'so much as living
in a state of retirement and obtrusion.'

Mrs. Tibbs, as a matter of course, acquiesced in such an exceedingly
natural desire.

'I am constantly attended by a medical man,' resumed the pelisse wearer;
'I have been a shocking unitarian for some time--I, indeed, have had very
little peace since the death of Mr. Bloss.'

Mrs. Tibbs looked at the relict of the departed Bloss, and thought he
must have had very little peace in his time. Of course she could not say
so; so she looked very sympathising.

'I shall be a good deal of trouble to you,' said Mrs. Bloss; 'but, for
that trouble I am willing to pay. I am going through a course of
treatment which renders attention necessary. I have one mutton-chop