“I will have it ready for you,” she said, on returning to Mrs. Claudine.

“Very well.  But mind,” said the lady, “I wish it got up in the very best style.  The hurry must not take from its beauty.  As for the price, charge what you please.”

The milliner promised every thing, and Mrs. Claudine went home to think about the important events of the approaching Sabbath.  On Sunday morning both bonnets were sent home, and both the ladies fully approved the style, effect, and all things appertaining to the elegant affairs.

At ten o’clock, Kitty, who was a broad-faced, coarse-looking Irish girl, came into the chamber of Mrs. Ballman, dressed up in her best, which was not saying much for the taste and elegance of her appearance.

“Are you all ready?” asked her mistress.

“Yes, mum.”

“Very well, Kitty, here’s the bonnet.  Now, remember, you are to go into the pew just in front of ours.  The Armburner’s are all out of town, and there will be no one to occupy it.”

Kitty received the elegant bonnet which had come on express from New York, and placed it upon her head.

“You really look charming,” said the lady.

But Kitty was not flattered by her words, and evinced so little heart in what she was doing that Mrs Ballman said to her, in a half threatening tone, as she left the room—­

“Mind, Kitty, I shall expect to see you at church.”

“Oh, yes, mum; I’ll be there,” replied Kitty, courtesying awkwardly, and retiring.

Not long after Kitty had retired, Mrs. Ballman, after surveying, for many minutes, the effect of her new bonnet, becoming more and more pleased with it every moment, and more and more satisfied that it would “take,” left her room, and was descending the stairs for the purpose of joining the family, who were awaiting her below.  Just at that unlucky moment, a servant, who was bringing down a vessel of water, slipped, and a portion of the contents came dashing over the head and shoulders of the richly attired lady, ruining her elegant bonnet, and completely destroying the happy frame of mind in which she was about attending public worship.  No wonder that she cried aloud from the sudden shock and distress so untoward an event occasioned; nor that she went back weeping to her chamber, and refused to be comforted.

Mr. Ballman and the children proceeded alone to church on that day.  On their return home they found the lady in a calmer frame of mind.  But Mr. Ballman looked grave and was unusually silent.  Kitty came home and gave up her elegant head-dress; and when her mistress told her that she might keep it, she thanked her, but declined the present.

“You went to church, of course,” she said.

“Oh, yes, mum,” replied Kitty.

“And sat in the Armburner’s pew?”

“Yes, mum.”

“Alone.”

“Yes, mum.”

“Was Mrs. Claudine there?”