These articles of
costume, on being exhibited in the showroom, electrified the
ladies of Pisa; and orders from all sides flowed in immediately
on the Grifoni establishment. They were, of course, easily
executed by the inferior work-women, from the specimen designs of
the French dressmaker. So that the illness of Mademoiselle
Virginie, though it might cause her mistress some temporary
inconvenience, was, after all, productive of no absolute loss.
Two months at the baths of Lucca restored the new forewoman to
health. She returned to Pisa, and resumed her place in the
private work-room. Once re-established there, she discovered that
an important change had taken place during her absence. Her
friend and assistant, Brigida, had resigned her situation. All
inquiries made of the Demoiselle Grifoni only elicited one
answer: the missing work-woman had abruptly left her place at
five minutes' warning, and had departed without confiding to any
one what she thought of doing, or whither she intended to turn
her steps.
Months elapsed The new year came; but no explanatory letter
arrived from Brigida. The spring season passed off, with all its
accompaniments of dressmaking and dress-buying, but still there
was no news of her. The first anniversary of Mademoiselle
Virginie's engagement with the Demoiselle Grifoni came round; and
then at last a note arrived, stating that Brigida had returned to
Pisa, and that if the French forewoman would send an answer,
mentioning where her private lodgings were, she would visit her
old friend that evening after business hours.
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