against the supposed offender, and was always well posted up in the latest intelligence, which she vowed to have come direct from headquarters.

'Does Madam know anything for certain?' was asked by a chorus of voices; but Eliza only nodded her head mysteriously as she left the room.

All this time Bessie was supremely unconscious of what was going on, and could not understand the sympathizing glances bestowed upon her by some, and the sneers that were cast at her by others; but when the usual hour for payment arrived, then the truth dawned upon her in all its horror. She was called into Madam's room, where that lady sat in awful state and portentous silence, casting up accounts along with Miss White. The latter had of late had a very warm side to Bessie, and it was through her mediation the supposed culprit was so leniently dealt with. Bessie's face grew white with terror, as she listened to the accusations brought against her by her employer. She stood in speechless amazement, unable to answer a word in defence; and could hardly believe her ears when Mrs Stewart, pushing a small heap of silver towards her, informed her that her services would be no longer required, hoping at the same time that she might yet be induced to confess and reform !

The poor girl's grief was great; she threw herself wildly at her mistress's feet.

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'I didn't take it! Indeed, indeed, I didn't!' And the tears streamed down the pale cheeks, and she clasped her hands in an agony of despair. Miss White's heart was touched, believing as she did in Bessie's perfect innocence; but Madam was cold and immoveable.

'I quite expected you would deny it, but you may save yourself the trouble,' she said, as she swept out of the room.

'Poor child!' said Miss White, raising Bessie gently from the floor, where she lay crouched. 'Keep up your heart, child; we shall see you back among us yet.'

'Oh, if I could only think so!' said Bessie, rousing herself from her stupor. 'If I could think you would all come to believe I'm innocent !'

'Believe it, and don't be down-hearted; we'll get to the bottom of this some day. There, you'll be better by and by.' And Miss White kissed her on the forehead.

Bessie never forgot this good creature's kindness to her in her extremity. With true womanly thoughtfulness, she gathered together all her little possessions, and brought them down stairs to her, along with her shawl and bonnet, so that she might be spared the painful necessity of facing the inquisitive glances of the girls, and undergoing their scrutiny. It was comforting also to hear her consoling words, and to know that there

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was one at least who believed her innocent.

How the suspicion had come to rest upon her, none knew, and Madam kept her own counsel, whatever that was. It was thought by more than one, from the interest she took in the proceedings, that Eliza Mack had furnished evidence against Bessie to serve her own ends.

Bessie had never as yet heard any reason assigned as to why this conclusion had been come to; and this would have been the last she would have thought of. She knew little or nothing of the world, its wicked arts, and false, deceitful ways; and this is what she had come there to learn! Ah, me! what bitter words and cruel wounds have to be endured! How heavily they fell on this girl, as if they would utterly crush the young and buoyant spirit, and blight her life for ever! And then came the wish, all too late, that she had never left her quiet home and her mother's fireside. And how was she to tell the news of this disgrace to her mother! And what would Miss Lucy think when she heard it? Would she believe her guilty, and think all her teaching had gone for nothing? The thought was more than Bessie could well bear, and her tears fell fast and thick from below her veil. It was a cold, dark February evening, and the streets were wet and dirty with the rain that had been falling all day. It was six o'clock, and the lamps were lighted, and the shop-windows blazing brilliantly. At other times Bessie would