e of her cheats and
falsehoods, she yet tolerated the creature from her own dire necessities.

"Sit down, Madame Dalmas," she said, "I am dreadfully in want of money;
but I really don't know what I have for you."

"De green velvet, which you not let me have before Easter, I still give
you four pounds for it, though perhaps you worn it very much since then."

"Only twice--only seven times in all--and it cost me twenty guineas,"
sighed Lady Lucy.

"Ah, but so old-fashioned--I do believe I not see my money for it.
Voyez-vous, de Lady Lucy is one petite lady--si jolie mais tres petite.
If she were de tall grand lady, you see de great dresses could fit small
lady, but de leetle dresses fit but ver few."

"If I sell the green velvet I must have another next winter," murmured
Lady Lucy.

"Ah! vous avez raison--when de season nouveautes come in. I tell you
what--you let me have also de white lace robe you show me once, the same
time I bought from you one little old pearl brooch."

"My wedding-dress? Oh no, I cannot sell my wedding-dress!" exclaimed poor
Lady Lucy, pressing her hands convulsively together.

"What for not?--you not want to marry over again--I give you twenty-two
pounds for it."

"Twenty-two pounds!--why it is Brussels point, and cost a hundred and
twenty."

"Ah, I know--but you forget I perhaps keep it ten years and not sell--and
besides you buy dear; great lady often buy ver dear!" and Madame Dalmas
shook her head with the solemnity of a sage.

"No, no; I cannot sell my wedding-dress," again murmured the wife. And be
it recorded, the temptress, for once, was baffled; but at the expiration
of an hour, Madame Dalmas left the house, with a huge bundle under her
arm, and a quiet satisfaction revealed in her countenance, had any one
thought it worth while to study the expression of her disagreeable face.

Again Lady Lucy locked her door; and placing a bank-note and some
sovereigns on the table, she sank into a low chair, and while a few large
silent tears flowed down her cheeks, she at last found courage to open
the three letters which had hitherto remained unread in her apron pocket.
The first--the second, seemed to contain nothing to surprise her, however
much there might be to annoy--but it was different with that last: here
was a gross overcharge, and perhaps it was not with quite a disagreeable
feeling that Lady Lucy found something of which she could justly
complain. She rose hurriedly and unlocke