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"But how is she to do it," said Miss Bydel, "if she has got no money?"
Ellis, however ashamed, felt rather assisted than displeased by this plump truth; but it produced no effect upon Miss Arbe, who lightly replied, "O, we must not be shabby. We must get things a little decent about us. A few scholars of my recommending will soon set all that to rights. Take my advice, Miss Ellis, and you won't find yourself vastly to be pitied."
"But what have you got to begin with?" said Miss Bydel. "How much have you in hand?"
"Nothing!" answered Ellis, precipitately: "I lost my purse at Dover, and I have been destitute ever since! Dependant wholly upon accidental benevolence."
Miss Bydel, now, was extremely gratified: this was the first time that she had surprized from Ellis any account of herself, and she admitted not a doubt that it would be followed by her whole history.
