inging out hot flannels for her own quinsy, she
would amuse herself by devising a desert island expedition on a larger
and possibly a damper scale than hitherto, against the time when she
should be out again.

It is a very old simile, but Madam Liberality really was like a cork
rising on the top of the very wave of ill-luck that had swallowed up
her hopes. Her little white face and undaunted spirit bobbed up after
each mischance or malady as ready and hopeful as ever.

Though her day-dream about Darling and the shore palace was constantly
disappointed, this did not hinder her from indulging new hopes and
fancies in another place to which she went with Podmore; a place which
was filled with wonders of a different kind from the treasures of the
palace on the shore.

It was called the Bazaar. It would be a very long business to say what
was in it. But amongst other things there were foreign cage-birds,
musical-boxes, and camp-stools, and baskets, and polished pebbles, and
paper patterns, and a little ladies' and children's millinery, and a
good deal of mock jewellery, and some very bad soaps and scents, and
some very good children's toys.

It was Madam Liberality's godmother who first took her to the bazaar.
A titled lady of her acquaintance had heard that wire flower-baskets
of a certain shape could be bought in the bazaar cheaper (by
two-pence-halfpenny each) than in London; and after writing to her
friend to ascertain the truth of the statement, she wrote again to
authorize her to purchase three on her behalf. So Madam Liberality's
godmother ordered out the blue carriage and pair, and drove with her
little cousin to the bazaar.

And as they came out, followed by a bearded man, bowing very low, and
carrying the wire baskets, Madam Liberality's godmother stopped near
the toy-stall to button her glove. And when she had buttoned it (which
took a long time, because her hands were stout, and Podmore generally
did it with a hook), she said to Madam Liberality, "Now, child, I want
to tell you that if you are very good whilst you are with me, and
Podmore gives me a good report of you, I will bring you here before
you go home, and buy you a present."

Madam Liberality's heart danced with delight. She wished her godmother
would stand by the toy-stall for an hour, that she might see what she
most hoped the present would be. But the footman tucked them into the
carriage, and the bearded man bowed himself back into the bazaar,