Batch sometimes has it, but he is the fishmonger at Maundell, and that is four miles away, and we are short-'anded, your ladyship, now the 'ouse is so full, and not a servant that could be spared." "Dear me!" said Lady Maria.

"Emily, this is really enough to drive one quite mad.

If everything was not out of the stables, I know you would drive over to Maundell.

You are such a good walker,"-- catching a gleam of hope,--"do you think you could walk ?" Emily tried to look cheerful.

Lady Maria's situation was really an awful one for a hostess.