e from my mother's continually harping
upon it."

"Have you the letter of Lady Hercules?"

"I have a copy of it, which I took, intending to have sent it to you the
next time that I wrote. I will bring it down if you will wait a
minute."

When Virginia returned she put the following epistle into my hand:--

"Mrs Saunders,--

"I have received a letter from your daughter, which, I presume, was
forwarded as a specimen of her penmanship; otherwise it was your duty
to have addressed me yourself. I said to you, when I met you at
Greenwich, that you were educating your daughter above her condition
in life, and I now repeat it. My patronage is extended only to those
who are not above their situations, which, I am sorry to observe, most
people are now. Nevertheless, as I did say that I would exert my
influence in your daughter's behalf; in consequence of your having
been a decent well-behaved menial to me, I have made inquiry among my
aquaintances, and find that I may be, _possibly_, able to place her
with my friend, Lady Towser, as a `boudoir assistant.' I have said
_possibly_, as I am by no means sure that she will be equal to the
situation, and the number of applicants are very numerous. The
enclosed paper from Lady Towser will give you an idea of what will be
requisite:--

"Morning, up at 6, and nicely dressed; come in in list shoes, and wait
at bedside, in case Lady Towser should be troubled with her morning
cough, to hand the emulsion, etcetera. At 9, to call and assist to
dress Lady Towser's head tirewoman; follow her to Lady T's chamber,
and obey orders. Breakfast in housekeeper's room. After breakfast
assist housemaid to dust ornaments, and on Saturdays and Wednesdays
_wash_, comb, and examine dogs; other days comb and examine them only;
clean and feed macaw, cockatoo, and parrot, also canary and other
birds; bring up dogs' dinners, and prevent them fighting at meals.
After dogs' dinners read to Lady T if required; if not, get up collars
and flounces, laces, etcetera, for Lady T and Lady T's tirewoman.
After your own dinner assist housekeeper as required in the
still-room; fine needlework; repair clothes before they go to wash;
dress and brush Lady T's perukes; walk out with dogs if weather is
fine, and be careful to prevent their making any acquaintances
whatever.

"Evening.--Read to Lady T, write notes, look over bills, and keep
gene