come too late to heap luxuries about dear "Mother"; too late to open
careers for the boys; too late to give mad frolics and girlish
gaieties to light hearts, such as she and Darling had once had. Ah, if
they could have enjoyed it together years ago!

There remained, however, Madam Liberality's old consolation: one can
be happy in the happiness of others. There were nephews and nieces to
be provided for, and a world so full of poor and struggling folk that
fifteen thousand a year would only go a little way. It was, perhaps,
useful that there had been so many articles lately in the papers about
begging letters, and impostors, and, the evil effects of the
indiscriminate charity of elderly ladies; but the remembrance of them
made Madam Liberality's head ache, and troubled her dreams that
night.

It was well that the next day was Sunday. Face to face with those
greater interests common to the rich and the poor, the living and the
dead, Madam Liberality grew calmer under her new cares and prospects.
It did not need that brief pause by her mother's grave to remind her
how little money can do for us: and the sight of other people
wholesomely recalled how much it can effect. Near the church porch she
was passed by the wife of a retired chandler, who dressed in very fine
silks, and who was accustomed to eye Madam Liberality's old clothes as
she bowed to her more obviously than is consistent with good breeding.
The little lady nodded very kindly in return. With fifteen thousand a
year one can afford to be _quite_ at ease in an old shawl.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Madam Liberality caught herself
thinking that if the legacy had been smaller--say fifty pounds a
year--she would at once have treated herself to certain little
embellishments of the old house, for which she had long been
ambitious. But it would be absurd to buy two or three yards of rosebud
chintz, and tire herself by making covers to two very old
sofa-cushions, when the point to be decided was in which of three
grandly furnished mansions she would first take up her abode. She
ordered a liberal supper, however, which confirmed Jemima in her
secret opinion that the big letter had brought good news.

When, therefore, another letter of similar appearance arrived, Jemima
snatched up the waiter and burst breathlessly in upon Madam
Liberality, leaving the door open-behind her, though it was bitterly
cold and the snow fell fast.

And when Madam Liberality opened th