t up her name by the servant. In about
five minutes, Mrs. Markle descended to the parlor, where her visitor
was awaiting her, and met her in a reserved and formal manner, that
was altogether unlike her former cordiality. It was as much as Mrs.
Comegys could do to keep from retiring instantly, and without a
word, from the house. But she compelled herself to go through with
what she had begun.

Mrs. Markle did, indeed, offer her hand; or rather the tips of her
fingers; which Mrs. Comegys, in mere reciprocation of the formality,
accepted. Then came an embarrassing pause, after which the latter
said--

"I see that I was not mistaken in supposing that there was a marked
coldness in your manner at our last meeting."

Mrs. Markle inclined her head slightly.

"Of course there is a cause for this. May I, in justice to myself as
well as others, inquire what it is?"

"I did not suppose you would press an inquiry on the subject,"
replied Mrs. Markle. "But as you have done so, you are, of course,
entitled to an answer."

There came another pause, after which, with a disturbed voice, Mrs.
Markle said--

"For some time, I have heard a rumor in regard to you, that I could
not credit. Of late it has been so often repeated that I felt it to
be my duty to ascertain its truth or falsehood. On tracing, with
some labor, the report to its origin, I am grieved to find that it
is too true."

"Please say what it is," said Mrs. Comegys, in a firm voice.

"It is said that you bought a dress at a dry goods store in this
city, and that on its being sent home, there proved to be some yards
more in the piece of goods than you paid for and that instead of
returning what was not your own, you kept it and had it made up for
one of your children."

The face of Mrs. Comegys instantly became like crimson; and she
turned her head away to hide the confusion into which this
unexpected allegation had thrown her. As soon as she could command
her voice, she said--

"You will, of course, give me the author of this charge."

"You are entitled to know, I suppose," replied Mrs. Markle. "The
person who originated this report is Mrs. Grimes. And she says that
she was present when the dress was sent home. That you measured it
in her presence, and that, finding there were several yards over,
you declared your intention to keep it and make of it a frock for
your little girl. And, moreover, that she saw Julia wearing a frock
afterwards, exactly like the p