But subsequent reflection brought her to a different conclusion.
The moment Mrs.Claudine settled it in her mind that she would not appear in the new bonnet, she began dressing herself, hurriedly, to go out.

It was as late as five o'clock in the afternoon when she called at the store of the milliner who had been commissioned by Mrs.Ballman to get the rival bonnet.
"Have you the last fashions from abroad ?" enquired Mrs.Claudine.
"We have," replied the milliner.
"Will you let me see them ?" "Certainly, ma'am." And the patterns were shown.

After examining them carefully, for some time, Mrs.Claudine selected a style of bonnet that pleased her fancy, and said-- "You must get me up this bonnet so that I can wear it to-morrow." "Impossible, madam!" replied the milliner.

"This is Saturday evening." "I know it is; but for money you can get one of your girls to work all night.

I don't care what you charge; but I must have the bonnet." The milliner still hesitated, and seemed to be confused and uneasy.
She asked Mrs.Claudine to sit down and wait for a little while, and then retired to think upon what she had better do.