, and my
poverty, but not my will, consents. Still it does make such a
difference in the appearance, being well-dressed, that if I could, I
never would have a dress made at home; but the saving is astonishing--
nearly two-thirds, I assure you."

"If you will allow me to interfere a little, my lady," replied I, "I
think you can have them as well made at home as by Madame Desbelli. I
think I can be useful."

"You are very kind, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, but it will be taxing
you too much."

"Not at all, Lady M--, if I have your sanction."

"You shall do just as you please, my dear," replied Lady M--; "I give
you full authority over the whole household, if you wish it; but indeed
I think Benson will be much obliged to you for any slight hint that you
may give her, and I am sure that I shall; but the carriage is at the
door--do you drive to-day?"

"Not to-day, I thank you, Lady M--," replied I.

"Well, then, I will take Hortense and Amy with me, and leave Augusta
with you."

After Lady M--'s departure, I went up to the room where the maids were
at work. I altered the arrangement of Augusta's dress so as to suit her
figure, and cut out the two others for Hortense and Amy. Wishing to
please Lady M--, I worked myself at Augusta's dress, and had it
completed before Lady M--had returned from her drive. It certainly was
now a very different affair, and Augusta looked remarkably well in it.
She was delighted herself, and hastened down to her mother to show it to
her. When I came down to dinner, Lady M--was profuse in her
acknowledgments; the two other dresses, when finished, gave equal
satisfaction, and from that time till the period of my quitting Lady
M--, all the dresses, not only of the young ladies, but those of Lady
M--, were made at home, and my taste and judgment invariably appealed to
and most cheerfully given. I felt it my duty to be of all the use that
I could be, and perhaps was not a little gratified by the compliments I
received upon my exquisite taste. Time passed on; during the shooting
season, Augusta, the eldest daughter, received a very good offer, which
was accepted; and at the Christmas festivities, Hortense, the second
girl, accepted another proposal, which was also very favourable. Lady
M--was delighted at such success.

"Is it not strange, my dear Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, that I have been
fagging two seasons, night and day, to get husbands for those girls, and
now alone here, in sol