so. As for her ladyship's answer, it would have been to me more a
subject of mirth than any other feeling. It has, however, proved the
cause of much annoyance 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 acquaintances, 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 inclosed 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, etc. 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, etc., 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; dr