It would be remarkable, therefore, to find a work of art that would antedate all collections, and yet show the patterns and style of work common less than a hundred years ago!" "Oh, I understand,--I've read up on the matter somewhat,--but I'm _so_ sorry--oh, I _am_ so sorry!" Elise looked woe-begone indeed, for she realised that Azalea had, in all probability committed the fraud herself, and with a deliberate intention of deceiving her.
Azalea's own ignorance of the whole matter was so great, that it was not surprising that she thought the mere alteration of the date would make the sampler of greater value.

But what broke Elise's heart was the knowledge of Azalea's wilful deception.
She thanked Mr.Greatorex for his explanations and, again asking him not to mention the matter to any one at all, she put the sampler back in the drawer and locked it up.
"Sold my sampler yet, Elise ?" Azalea asked, when next they met.
"Yes; I bought it in myself," Elise replied.

"I wanted it, so I bought it.

I haven't paid for it yet, for I want to know what you consider a fair price ?" Elise looked Azalea straight in the eyes, and was not surprised to note the rising colour in the cheeks of the Indian maiden.
"Why--why," Azalea stammered, "you said it was worth hundreds of dollars--you said that yourself, Elise." "That was before I knew of your own handiwork on the sampler." "What do you mean ?" cried Azalea, angrily.
"Just what I say.

To the work on the sampler, you added a bit more,--or rather, you subtracted some!".