Surely Monnoyer, or whoever the dead-and-gone artist might be,
would have been gratified to know the pleasure his handiwork,
even in its wane, had power to give to the heavy heart of a young
girl; for they conjured up visions of other sister-flowers that
grew, and blossomed, and withered away in her early home. Mrs.
Mason was particularly desirous that her workwomen should exert
themselves to-night, for, on the next, the annual hunt-ball was
to take place. It was the one gaiety of the town since the
assize-balls had been discontinued. Many were the dresses she had
promised should be sent home "without fail" the next morning; she
had not let one slip through her fingers, for fear, if it did, it
might fall into the hands of the rival dressmaker, who had just
established herself in the very same street.
She determined to administer a gentle stimulant to the flagging
spirits, and with a little preliminary cough to attract
attention, she began--
"I may as well inform you, young ladies, that I have been
requested this year, as on previous occasions, to allow some of
my young people to attend in the antechamber of the assembly-room
with sandal ribbon, pins, and such little matters, and to be
ready to repair any accidental injury to the ladies' dresses. I
shall send four--of the most diligent." She laid a marked
emphasis on the last words, but without much effect; they were
too sleepy to care for any of the pomps and vanities, or, indeed,
for any of the comforts of this world, excepting one sole
thing--their beds.
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