CHAPTER XXXI.
SUBJECT CONTINUED.
WHEN the door was opened, Charlotte, in a voice rendered scarcely articulate, through cold and the extreme agitation of her mind, demanded whether Mrs.Crayton was at home.

The servant hesitated: he knew that his lady was engaged at a game of picquet with her dear Corydon, nor could he think she would like to be disturbed by a person whose appearance spoke her of so little consequence as Charlotte; yet there was something in her countenance that rather interested him in her favour, and he said his lady was engaged, but if she had any particular message he would deliver it.
"Take up this letter," said Charlotte: "tell her the unhappy writer of it waits in her hall for an answer." The tremulous accent, the tearful eye, must have moved any heart not composed of adamant.

The man took the letter from the poor suppliant, and hastily ascended the stair case.
"A letter, Madam," said he, presenting it to his lady: "an immediate answer is required." Mrs.Crayton glanced her eye carelessly over the contents.

"What stuff is this;" cried she haughtily; "have not I told you a thousand times that I will not be plagued with beggars, and petitions from people one knows nothing about?
Go tell the woman I can't do any thing in it.

I'm sorry, but one can't relieve every body." The servant bowed, and heavily returned with this chilling message to Charlotte.
"Surely," said she, "Mrs.Crayton has not read my letter.