Mrs. Bates did receive, as has been stated, a beautiful head-dress from a sister in New York, who had obtained it from a friend in Paris.  The style was quite attractive, though neither unbecoming nor showy.  Mrs. Bates had her own share of vanity, and wished to appear at a large party soon to take place, in this head-dress, where she knew it must attract attention.  Although a little vain, a fault that we can easily excuse in a handsome woman, Mrs. Bates had a high sense of justice and right, and possessed all a lady’s true delicacy of feeling.

The head-dress, after being admired, was laid aside for the occasion refrered to.  A few days afterwards, Mrs. Tarleton, an acquaintance, dropped in.

“I have something beautiful to show you,” said Mrs. Bates, after she had chatted awhile with her visitor.

“Indeed!  What is it?”

“The sweetest head-dress you ever saw.  My sister sent it to me from New York, and she had it direct from a friend in Paris, where it was all the fashion.  Mine I believe to be the only one yet received in the city, and I mean to wear it at Mrs. Liston’s party.

“Do let me see it,” said Mrs. Tarleton, all alive with expectation.  She had an extravagant love of dress, and was an exceedingly vain woman.

The head-dress was produced.  Mrs. Tarleton lifted her hands and eyes.

“The loveliest thing I ever saw!  Let me try it on,” she said, laying off her bonnet and taking the head-dress from the hands of Mrs. Bates.  “Oh, it is sweet!  I never looked so well in anything in my life,” she continued, viewing herself in the glass.  “I wish I could beg it from you; but that I havn’t the heart to do.”

Mrs. Bates smiled and shook her head, but made no reply.

“Here, you put it on, and let me see how you look in it,” went on Mrs. Tarleton, removing the cap from her own head and placing it upon that of her friend.  “Beautiful!  How well it becomes you! you must let me have the pattern.  We can wear them together at the party.  Two will attract more attention than one.”

“I am sorry to deny you,” replied Mrs. Bates, “but I think I shall have to be alone in my glory this time.”

“Indeed, you must let me have the pattern, Mrs. Bates.  I never saw anything in my life that pleased me so much, nor anything in which I looked so well.  I have been all over town for a head-dress without fnding anything I would wear.  If you don’t let me have one like yours, I do not know what I will do.  Come now, say yes, that is a dear.”

But Mrs. Bates said no as gently as she could.  It was asking of her too much.  She had set her heart upon appearing in that head-dress as something new and beautiful, and could not consent to share the distinction, especially with Mrs. Tarleton, for whom, although a friend, she entertained not the highest esteem, and for the reason that Mrs. Tarleton had rather a vulgar mind, and lacked a lady’s true perceptions of propriety.