“Who is that young woman?” she asked of the individual in attendance.

“She’s a poor girl, that Mrs.—­buys fine work from, out of mere charity, she says.”

“Do you know her name?”

“I have heard it, ma’am, but forget it.”

“Have you any very fine French worked capes, Mrs.—­,” asked Mrs. Harwood, as the individual she addressed came up to that part of the counter where she was standing, still holding in her hand the small package which had been received from the young woman.  This Mrs. Harwood noticed.

“O, yes, ma’am, some of the most beautiful in the city.”

“Let me see them, if you please.”

A box was brought, and its contents, consisting of a number of very rich patterns of the article asked for, displayed.

“What is the price of this?” asked Mrs. Harwood, lifting one, the pattern of which pleased her fancy.

“That is a little damaged,” Mrs.—­replied.  “But here is one of the same pattern,” unrolling the small parcel she had still continued to hold in her hand, “which has just been returned by a lady, to whom I sent it for examination, this morning.”

“It is the same pattern, but much more beautifully wrought,” Mrs. Harwood said, as she examined it carefully.  “These are all French, you say?”

“Of course, ma’am.  None but French goods come of such exquisite fineness.”

“What do you ask for this?”

“It is worth fifteen dollars, ma’am.  The pattern is a rich one, and the work unusually fine.”

“Fifteen dollars!  That is a pretty high price, is it not, Mrs.—?”

“O, no, indeed, Mrs. Harwood!  It cost me very nearly fourteen dollars—­and a dollar is a small profit to make on such articles.”

After hesitating for a moment or two, Mrs. Harwood said—­

“Well, I suppose I must give you that for it, as it pleases me."’

And she took out her purse, and paid the price that Mrs.—­had asked.  She still stood musing by the side of the counter, when the young woman who had awakened her interest a short time before, re-entered, and came up to Mrs.—­, who was near her.

“I have a favour to ask, Mrs.—­,” she overheard her say, in a half tremulous, and evidently reluctant tone.

“Well, what is it?” Mrs.—­coldly asked.

“I want six dollars more than I have got, for a very particular purpose.  Won’t you advance me the price of three capes, and I will bring you in one a week, until I have made it up.”

“No, miss,” was the prompt and decisive answer—­“I never pay any one for work not done.  Pay beforehand, and never pay, are the two worst kinds of pay!”

All this was distinctly heard by Mrs. Harwood, and her very heart ached, as she saw the poor girl turn, with a disappointed air, away, and walk slowly out of the store.

“That’s just the way with these people,” ejaculated Mrs.—­, in affected indignation, meant to mislead Mrs. Harwood, who, she feared, had overheard what the young woman had said.  “They’re always trying in some way or other, to get the advantage of you.”