raptures he excites in me!" then, aloud, "I am a Churchwoman, certainly."
"Then you can't refuse to contribute in this case. The population of Ecclefigg are a parcel of brutes—we want to civilize them."
"Who is to be the missionary?"
"Myself, probably."
"You won't fail through lack of sympathy with your flock."
"I hope not—I expect success; but we must have money. There is the paper—pray give a handsome sum."
When asked for money, Shirley rarely held back. She put down her name for 5l.: after the 300l. she had lately given, and the many smaller sums she was giving constantly, it was as much as she could at present afford. Donne looked at it, declared the subscription "shabby," and clamorously demanded more. Miss Keeldar flushed up with some indignation and more astonishment.
"At present, I shall give no more," said she.
"Not give more! Why, I expected you to head the list with a cool hundred. With your property, you should never put down a signature for less."
She was silent.
"In the south," went on Donne, "a lady with a thousand a year would be ashamed to give five pounds for a public object."
Shirley, so rarely haughty, looked so now. Her
