what can I do?" says she. "My _Lady_ has engaged to give me enough cast-off Apparel, to keep me in Clothing; so that I shall be able to send the twenty Pounds to my _Mother_." "There'll be some comfort to you in doing that," said I. "The greatest of comforts," says she; "and 'tis that which keeps me up, in spite of hard Work, late Hours, and contumely; for no one has a better and dearer Mother than I have." "Well, the Chicken is done now," said I. "Shall I carry it out for you?" "Oh no, I dare not remain behind," says _Gatty_; "but do you come along with me, for you will make me feel less lonely." So I went with her according to her wish; and when we came up to the Table, we found Lady _Betty_ talking about her foreign Travels; for, it seemed she had been abroad with my _Lord_ her _Father_, on some public Mission or Ambassade, to this and the other distant Land, that had formerly been the Seat of War. And, to my Fancy, she discoursed agreeably enough of _Belgrade_, _Peterwaradin_, and _Prince Eugene_, though my Lord did not seem to think so; for, once, he covered his Mouth with his Hand to conceal a Yawn, not so adroitly but that my Lady perceived it; and thereupon she immediately diverted her Conversation to Sir _Charles_, and never spoke to his _Lordship_ another Word. The _Petersham_ Chicken was too Gross, as 'twas like to be, with that monstrous quantity of Butter: my Lady _Betty_ was annoyed, and said Mrs. _Gatty_ had oiled it over the Fire, darting at her a side-look of Reproach. It was sent away, and the Fruit set upon Table; and the Black Boy, producing a Theorbo, sang foreign Airs while they finished their Repast. A brisk encounter of Wits then ensuing between Mr. _Caryl_, Mr. _Arbuthnot_, and Sir _Charles_, my _Lady_ presently found herself cut out; notwithstanding she made one or two ineffectual efforts to recover the lead; and extremely mortified that she should, even for a few Minutes, be Second, she threw herself back in her Chair, called for Essences, and bade Mrs. _Gatty_ support her to the House; protesting she had the Vapours to that degree, that nothing but Seclusion and Repose could restore her sufficiently to enable her to take Boat. The other two Ladies, constrained to follow her, made wry Faces to one another behind her Back, but accompanied her in-doors, leaving the Gentlemen to saunter about, or sit over their Wine. Having entered our little Parlour and made a prodigious fuss, till we were all in waiting on her, "How horridly vapourish I feel!" cries she; "But what! Is that some real Dragon China on the Mantel-Shelf? How did you come by it, Mrs. _Patty_?" I coldly replied, "My _Father_ bought it, _Madam_." "And, those Josses and Mandarins," pursues she, "have positively the appearance of being, nay, they _are_ genuine! What lovely _Chelsea_ China! These Shepherdesses fondling Lambs and Kids are nearly equal to mine. Sure, can a Person of your _Father's_ Condition, Mrs. _Patty_, afford to be a Virtuoso?"