"This is the young Person, Aunt," says Mr. _Arbuthnot_, "whom I mentioned to you as having been taken ill, the Day of Lady _Betty's_ Folly." "And are you going to return to Lady _Betty_?" says Mrs. _Arbuthnot_. "No, Madam, I am going Home To-morrow; into the Country." "The best Place for you, Child. Are you going into Service no more?" "I wish it were so, Madam," said _Gatty_, hemming away a Sigh. "I should think Lady _Betty's_ Place too hard for you; she goes out a good deal." "The Hours try me, Madam. I have been used always to go to Bed early." "How early?" put in Mr. _Arbuthnot_. "Nine o'clock, Sir." "And now?--at Lady _Betty's_?" "Not till Two or Three in the Morning; sometimes Four." He shrugged his Shoulders, and drew in his Breath. "My Dear," remonstrated Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ gently, "I am not sure we have any Right to inquire into the Details of her _Ladyship's_ Household." He smiled, and looked brimfull of Questions he wanted to ask. "Perhaps some other Employment might be found less injurious to your Health," resumed the old _Lady_. "You seem a skilful Embroidress. That Pattern is charming; I should like to have it." "I shall be very happy to copy it for you, Madam," said _Gatty_. "Alas, Child, I could not work it if you would give it to me, unless you gave me your Eyesight too! But I'll tell you what you might do for me. You are going into the Country, you say. Probably you will there have Leisure to work on your own Account." "Oh yes, Madam!" "Work me a Set of Aprons, then, as your Time and Strength permit; I will Pay you for your Trouble when they are finished; but here is Something for the Muslin and Silks, which I will get you to supply." And she put Money into her Hand. "I think I have some prettier Patterns than this up-Stairs, Madam," cried _Gatty_; and she flew up-Stairs, without at all regarding the Trouble of unpacking her Box to get the Patterns, which were at the very Bottom, in order to lie flat. "There is Something very well-spoken and obliging about her," said Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ to me. "Is she of respectable Condition?" "Her _Father_, Madam, was a Country Curate, and died, leaving a large young Family unprovided. Her _Mother_ is a distant Relation of Lady _Betty's_. _Gatty_ became Lady _Betty's_ Maid, because no better Independence offered to her, and she wanted to assist her _Mother_." "Tut! tut! This is a sad Story--Surely Something more suitable might be found." "You spoke of an Embroidery-Shop, Madam--_we_ thought of that too, as _Gatty_ is so clever, and can design as well as execute Patterns; but my _Mother_ thought it would expose such a pretty, unprotected Girl, thoughtless and ignorant of Evil, to many Temptations we had not taken into the Account." "The Clouds are breaking, now, Aunt," said Mr. _Arbuthnot_, returning from the Garden-Door, where he had been apparently watching the Weather, but very likely hearing none the less of what was said. "I think we may shortly venture to return."