Charlotte sped hastily round the end of the block of buildings, hurried down the little back garden, and flew breathlessly into her own kitchen, as a haven of refuge, but she found a tall, stiff starched, elderly woman standing just within the door, and heard her last words.

’Well! as I said, ’tis no concern of mine; only I thought it the part of a friend to give you a warning, when I seen it with my own eyes!- Ah! here she is!’ as Charlotte dropped into a chair.  ’Yes, yes, Miss, you need not think to deceive me; I saw you from Miss Mercy’s window—­’

‘Saw what?’ faintly exclaimed Charlotte.

‘You know well enough,’ was the return.  ’You may think to blind Mrs. Beckett here, but I know what over good-nature to young girls comes to.  Pretty use to make of your fine scholarship, to be encouraging followers and sweethearts, at that time in the morning too!’

‘Speak up, Charlotte,’ said the other occupant of the room, a pleasant little brisk woman, with soft brown, eyes, a clear pale skin, and a face smooth, in spite of nearly sixty years; ’speak up, and tell Mrs. Martha the truth, that you never encouraged no one.’

The girl’s face was all one flame, but she rose up, and clasping her hands together, exclaimed—­’Me encourage!  I never thought of what Mrs. Martha says!  I don’t know what it is all about!’

‘Here, Jane Beckett,’ cried Mrs. Martha; ’d’ye see what ’tis to vindicate her!  Will you take her word against mine, that she’s been gossiping this half hour with that young rogue as was turned off at Ormersfield?’

’Tom Madison! cried the girl, in utter amaze.  ‘Oh!  Mrs. Martha!’

‘Well!  I can’t stop!’ said Martha.  ’I must get Miss Faithfull’s breakfast! but if you was under me, Miss Charlotte, I can tell you it would be better for you!  You’ll sup sorrow yet, and you’ll both recollect my advice, both of you.’

Wherewith the Cassandra departed, and Charlotte, throwing her apron over her face, began to cry and sob piteously.

’My dear! what is it now? exclaimed her kind companion, pulling down her apron, and trying to draw down first one, then the other of the arms which persisted in veiling the crimson face.  ’Surely you don’t think missus or I would mistrust you, or think you’d take up with the likes of him!’

‘How could she be so cruel—­so spiteful,’ sobbed Charlotte, ’when he only came to ask one question, and did a good turn for me with the mats.  I never thought of such a thing.  Sweetheart, indeed!  So cruel of her!’

‘Bless me!’ said Jane, ’girls used to think it only civility to say they had a sweetheart!’

’Don’t, Mrs. Beckett!  I hate the word!  I don’t want no such thing!  I won’t never speak to Tom Madison again, if such constructions is to be put on it!’

’Well, after all, Charlotte dear, that will be the safest way.  You are young yet, and best not to think of settling, special if you aren’t sure of one that is steady and religious, and you’d better keep yourself up, and not get a name for gossiping—­though there’s no harm done yet, so don’t make such a work.  Bless me, if I don’t hear his lordship’s voice!  He ain’t never come so early!’