ning it upon me not to mention it to any one, as she had no
wish to injure you."

"Did you tell it to any one?"

"No. It was but a little while afterward that it was told to me by
some one else."

"Was it mentioned to you, Mrs. Florence?" proceeded Mrs. Comegys,
turning to another of the ladies present.

"It was, ma'am."

"By Mrs. Grimes?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"In confidence, I suppose?"

"I was requested to say nothing about it, for fear that it might
create an unfavorable impression in regard to you."

"Very well; there are two already. How was it in your case, Mrs.
Wheeler?"

This lady answered as the others had done. The question was then put
to each lady in the room, when it appeared that out of the twenty,
fifteen had received their information on the subject from Mrs.
Grimes, and that upon every one secrecy had been enjoined, although
not in every case maintained.

"So it seems, Mrs. Markle," said Mrs. Comegys, after she had
finished her inquiries, "that Mrs. Grimes has, as I alleged,
industriously circulated this matter to my injury."

"It certainly appears so," returned Mrs. Markle, coldly.

Thus brought into a corner, Mrs. Grimes bristled up like certain
animals, which are good at running and skulking, but which, when
fairly trapped, fight desperately.

"Telling it to a thousand is not half as bad as doing it, Mrs.
Comegys," she said, angrily. "You needn't try to screen yourself
from the consequences of your wrong doings, by raising a hue and cry
against me. Go to the fact, madam! Go to the fact, and stand
alongside of what you have done."

"I have no hesitation about doing that, Mrs. Grimes. Pray, what have
I done?"

"It is very strange that you should ask, madam."

"But I am charged, I learn, with having committed a crime against
society; and you are the author of the charge. What is the crime?"

"If it is any satisfaction to you, I will tell you. I was at your
house when the pattern of the lawn dress you now have on was sent
home. You measured it in my presence, and there were several yards
in it more than you had bought and paid for"--

"How many?"

Mrs. Grimes looked confused, and stammered out, "I do not now
exactly remember."

"How many did she tell you, Mrs. Raynor?"

"She said there were three yards."

"And you, Mrs. Fisher?"

"Six yards."

"And you, Mrs. Florence?"

"Fifteen yards, I think."

"Oh, no, Mrs. Florence; you are entirely mistaken. You misunderstood
me,"