“As you think proper,” said the agitated girl.

“Well, well, you are mighty high, I think, for a person obliged to work for her bread.  You are come down pretty low, and may——­”

“Hold!” said Helen, “let me intreat you, Mrs. Falkner, to desist these cruel taunts.  God has been pleased to place me in my present position; and it is, with thankfulness, nay, with pride, I exert the talents he has given me for the support of myself and the dear children, he has committed to my care.  Poverty, madam, may try us, and that severely; but while we act rightly, it can never degrade us, but in the eyes of those, unfeeling as yourself.”

“Mighty fine and heroic, to be sure!  Is it not a pity Mr. Mortimer isn’t hidden somewhere to hear you, as he was when you sung, and pretended not to know he was listening.  He could see through it, though, as well as we did; and let, me tell you, artful as you are, that he is not a bird to be caught with chaff.  But there’s your money, so give me a receipt.”  This, she no sooner received than off she started.

Helen, who had, with difficulty, restrained her tears, now gave way to her feelings, and thus relieved her over-charged heart.  At this moment, Mrs. Cameron came in, and having heard all that had passed, said: 

“Never mind, my dear child, we must all be tried, some way or other, and even this cruel heartless woman could not vex you thus did not God permit her to do so; we have all, yes, the very best of us, proud, rebellious hearts, that need chastisement; and it is not for us to choose, how it is to be done.  God knows best; meet it, therefore, my dear, humbly, as from Him, and not man; all will yet come right.  You are a good girl; still Helen dear, you need, as we all do, the chastening of the Almighty, for we every one of us, come short, and ‘when weighed in His balance, are found wanting,’”

A few days after this, Henry, who had been out fishing, came in, with his basket full of trout.”

“Look there, Helen,” said he, “what do you think of that?  There’s trout for you?”

“Why, Henry dear, are you already so expert at fishing?” asked his sister.

“No,” replied Henry, “but a gentleman joined me, and we angled together.  See, what beautiful flies he has given me!  He caught three fish to my one, but he would make me take all.  Oh, he’s a real nice fellow.  He has hired Mr. Bently’s hunting lodge for the season, and says I may go with him, whenever I please, if you will let me.

“Whenever it does not interfere with your studies, Henry, but you must mind and not be troublesome to him.”

“I’ll take care of that; but I forgot to tell you, I met Mrs. Sherman, as I was coming home, and she wants you to go to tea there, and Susan is to come down and stay with Fanny.”

Mrs. Sherman had seen Mrs. Cameron, and learnt from her the cruel manner in which Mrs. Falkner had behaved, and kindly desired to have a chat with Helen, in order to soothe and strengthen her mind, and; if it were possible, render her less vulnerable to these shafts of malice.  After they had, for some time, discussed the matter: