“You must be surprised, ladies, to see me in the midst of such a litter, but you find me busy arranging the works of some poor protegees of mine.  A most unfortunate family!—­I have given them what little instruction I could in these little female works; and you see,” putting a gaudy work-basket into Grizzy’s hands, “it is astonishing what progress they have made.  My friends have been most liberal in their purchases of these trifles, but I own I am a wretched beggar.  They are in bad hands when they are in mine, poor souls!  The fact is, I can give, but I cannot beg.  I tell them they really must find somebody else to dispose of their little labours—­somebody who has more of what I call the gift of begging than I am blest with.”

Tears of admiration stood in Grizzy’s eye; her hand was in her pocket.  She looked to Mary, but Mary’s hands and eyes betrayed no corresponding emotions; she felt only disgust at the meanness and indelicacy of the mistress of such a mansion levying contributions from the stranger within her door.

Mrs. Fox proceeded:  “That most benevolent woman Miss Gull was here this morning, and bought no less than seven of these sweet little pincushions.  I would fain have dissuaded her from taking so many—­it really seemed such a stretch of virtue; but she said, ’My dear Mrs. Fox, how can one possibly spend their money better than in doing a good action, and at the same time enriching themselves?’”

Grizzy’s purse was in her hand.  “I declare that’s very true.  I never thought of that before; and I’m certain Lady Maclaughlan will say the very same; and I’m sure she will be delighted—­I’ve no doubt of that—­to take a pincushion; and each of my sisters I’m certain, will take one, though we have all plenty of pincushions; and I’ll take one to myself, though I have three, I’m sure, that I’ve never used yet.”

“My dear Miss Douglas, you really are, I could almost say, too good.  Two and two’s four, and one’s five—­five half-crowns!  My poor protegees! you will really be the making of their fortune!”

Grizzy, with trembling hands, and a face flushed with conscious virtue, drew forth the money from her little hoard.

But Mrs. Fox did not quit her prey so easily.  “If any of your friends are in want of shirt-buttons, Miss Douglas, I would fain recommend those to them.  They are made by a poor woman in whom I take some interest, and are far superior to any that are to be had from the shops.  They are made from the very best materials.  Indeed, I take care of that, as” (in a modest whisper) “I furnish her with the material myself; but the generality of those you get to purchase are made from old materials.  I’ve ascertained that, and it’s a fact you may rely upon.”

Poor Grizzy’s hair stood on end, to hear of such depravity in a sphere where she had never even suspected it; but, for the honour of her country, she flattered herself such practices were there unknown; and she was entering upon a warm vindication of the integrity of Scotch shirt-buttons, when Mrs. Fox coolly observed—­