"Then, please, ma'am," said Mary, "let Folter have that dress
ready, and, if I don't succeed, you have something to wear."
"I hate it. I won't go if you don't find me another."
"Some people may like it, though I don't," said Mary.
"Not a doubt of that!" said Folter.
"Ring the bell," said her mistress.
The woman obeyed, and the moment afterward repented she had not
given warning on the spot, instead. The brougham was ordered
immediately, and in a few minutes Mary was standing at a counter
in a large shop, looking at various stuffs, of which the young
man waiting on her soon perceived she knew the qualities and
capabilities better than he.
She had set her heart on carrying out Hesper's idea, but in
better fashion; and after great pains taken, and no little
trouble given, left the shop well satisfied with her success. And
now for the greater difficulty!
She drove straight to Letty's lodging, and, there dismissing the
brougham, presented herself, with a great parcel in her arms, for
the second time that day, at the door of her room, as unexpected
as the first, and even more to the joy of her solitary friend.
She knew that Letty was good at her needle. And Letty was,
indeed, even now, by fits, fond of using it; and on several
occasions, when her supply of novels had for a day run short, had
asked a dressmaker who lived above to let her help her for an
hour or two: before Mary had finished her story, she was untying
the parcel, and preparing to receive her instructions.
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