CHAPTER XXX.

A CHARITABLE COMMITTEE.

Of all the pleasures of the exercise of charity, the very greatest (to some minds), though it is not generally mentioned among the attributes of that divine gift, is the satisfaction afforded by the fact of the recipient of our bounty having once occupied a social position equal or superior to our own. This is the ne plus ultra of the delights of patronage, and makes the actions of the just smell sweet (in their own nostrils) indeed. The sensation of heaping coals of fire on an enemy may be pleasant and comfortable, but the experience of which I speak confers a happiness infinitely beyond it, a self-complacency of the soul.

On the day before that fixed for the interment of Mr. Josceline, and when all that Mrs.

Armytage had advanced against that gentleman had been fully corroborated (in the view of her late audience, at least) by Ella's confession of poverty made to Mrs. Trant, a meeting of the guests in the Ultramarine was held in the ladies' drawing-room to take that young person's sad case into consideration, and to concert measures for her immediate relief.

The company were convened by circular, issued by Mrs. Armytage, which as a literary composition had afforded her as much satisfaction as was compatible with the melancholy circumstances of its origin-and even more. She had shown it to the Professor himself, and inquired whether it needed any addition. He had replied Most certainly not,' in a tone of the most genuine conviction. This benevolent lady's appeal had been responded to; and the company at the Ultramarine had rallied round her' (to borrow a phrase from the circular) with a unanimity even beyond her expectations.

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Not only did all the lady-guests put in an appearance (except Mrs. Wallace, of whom, as

Mrs. Armytage observed, much delicacy of social feeling could hardly be expected,' and who remained abovestairs with Ella), but all the gentlemen. This latter circumstance, however, in no way abashed the Professor's wife: the fact of the assemblage being held in the ladies' drawing-room made it, as she observed, a woman's question, and she would, therefore, make no apology for taking the chair. Mr. Aird, with little Davey by his side, looking more fragile and delicate than ever, no less from his recent illness than from his present sorrow on Ella's account, was the only one who even ventured to point out the desirability of her being voted into it. On an occasion of this kind, sir,' she had observed reprovingly, 'cold formalities may, I think, be dispensed with.'

'Very good, madam, I hope they will be,' was his quiet reply. She did not understand the cynicism of his remark, but she felt him to be an incongruous element in her scheme of benevolence; just as a spirit-rapper objects to the individual who is not en rapport with supernatural manifestations,'-the doubter.

When Mrs. Armytage rose from her seat with a manuscript in her hand (for she was not going to spoil the effect of her carefully composed speech by its vivâ voce delivery, in which something might have been forgotten), and all the company had arranged themselves with serious faces before her in a semicircle, the scene was really an imposing one.

As Mr. Percival Lott whispered to his wife, It's like hearing the reading of a will by a blessed female attorney!'

Every one assumed an attitude of rapt attention, including the Professor, who however was secretly occupied with the investigation of a fine specimen (captured that very morning) of the stag beetle, which he held in the hollow of his hand, and regarded with a tender solemnity, very appropriate for the occasion he had already heard his wife's 'appeal to the charitable' three times, so that any diversion of his mind could hardly be called inexcusable. The appeal, however admirable as a literary composition, was a little long, so we will take it as read,' after the excellent example of wise

princes when addresses are presented to them. Let it suffice to say that it set forth, with considerable unction, how Miss Ella Josceline had been nursed in the lap of luxury-a luxury, alas! that had been anything but warranted by her circumstances and was now dependent upon charity for her daily bread; and that it ended with an application for subscriptions.

For my own part,' said Mrs. Armytage, in conclusion, speaking for myself and the Professor, we feel that money in such a case is but of small service in comparison with a permanent provision for the future, which it is my intention to offer to the young lady under my own roof.'

Here there were almost universal signs of approbation. It was felt to be an immense relief by everybody, that the responsibility of providing something-permanent or otherwise. -for Miss Josceline was removed from their own shoulders; and in their satisfaction they almost forgave Mrs. Armytage for having called them together, as it seemed, to bear witness to her own benevolence. For once the feeling of