Mrs. Alexander intimated that besides gloves, she had an unusual choice of cambrics and silks, and a few pieces of valuable lace, out of which the lady might suit herself, if she chose, before the goods were sent up the country, as they were to be without delay. Elizabeth would not promise to buy, but, of course, accepted the invitation to examine; and then what tempting treasures were spread before her eyes!
"O lovely!" she cried. "What a colour! I wonder whether it would wear well. So delicate! so rich! There is nothing like those French for colours."
Mrs. Alexander, as in gratitude bound, joined in lauding the Lyons manufacturers, and their dyers.
"The hue is most beautiful, to be sure, but the fabric of this is better;--and this,--and this," she continued, applying the scientific touch to each in turn. "It seems to me that all the pieces of that one pattern,--the olive green, and the blue, and the violet,--are of a poorer fabric than the rest. But the figure is completely French, to be sure."
Mrs. Alexander observed that the Brighton ladies, and some at Hastings, had taken a great fancy to that particular pattern; and it was selling rapidly at some of the principal shops.
"Well, now, if I had seen those pieces at a shop,--if I had met with them anywhere but here, I should have pronounced them English. It is very odd that all of that one figure should have less substance than the others. Did they come over as part of the same cargo?"
"Stowed cheek-by-jowl in the hold of the lugger that was but six hours out of sight," Mrs. Alexander declared.
"I suppose they have been only just landed," observed Elizabeth, "for you would not keep such a stock as this by you, with so many enemies about. I wonder you are not afraid."
"It is only for a few hours, ma'am; just till the carriers come back from their present errand. I do not sell in any but a chance way, as you know, ma'am; and----"
"I always supposed your husband had been a batman, and I am told the batmen are often paid in goods," interrupted Elizabeth.