‘It was not I who said that,’ said Sophy, blushing.

’You took part with those who did.  And poor Genevieve was a much more defenceless victim than papa or myself.’

‘I would not do so now.’

’It does not take much individual blackness of heart to work up a fine promising slander.  A surmise made in jest is repeated in earnest, and all the other tale-bearers think they are telling simple facts.  Depend upon it, the story did not get off from the Osborns by any means as it came back to Aunt Maria.’

‘I should like to know.’

’Don’t let us make it any worse; and above all, do not let us tell Lucy.’

‘Oh, no!’ said Sophy, emphatically.

To Albinia’s surprise no innuendo from Mrs. or Miss Meadows ever referred to her management having caused Sophy’s misfortune, and she secretly attributed this silence to Mr. Kendal’s having escorted his sister-in-law to her own house.

Sophy’s chief abode became the morning-room, and she seemed very happy and tranquil there—­shrinking from visitors, but grateful for the kindness of parents, brother and sister.

Mr. Kendal, finding her really eager to learn of him, began teaching her Persian, and was astonished at her promptness and intelligence.  He took increasing pleasure in her company, gave her books to read, and would sometimes tell the others not to stay at home for her sake, as he should be ‘about the house.’

He really gave up much time to her, and used to carry her, when the weather served, to a couch in the garden, for she could not bear the motion of wheels, and was forbidden to attempt walking, though she was to be in the air as much as possible, so that Albinia spent more time at home.  The charge of Sophy was evidently her business, and after talking the matter over with Mrs. Dusautoy, she resigned, though not without a pang, the offices she had undertaken in the time of her superfluous activity, and limited herself to occasional superintendence, instead of undertaking constant employment in the parish.  Though she felt grieved and humiliated, Willow Lawn throve the better for it, and so did her own mind, yes, and even her temper, which was far less often driven by over-haste into quick censure, or unconsidered reply.

Her mistakes about Sophia had been a lesson against one-sided government.  At first, running into the other extreme, she was ready to imagine that all the past ill-humour had been the effect of her neglect and cruelty; and Sophy’s amiability almost warranted the notion.  The poor girl herself had promised ’never to be cross again,’ and fancied all temptation was over, since she had ’found out mamma,’ and papa was so kind to her.  But all on a sudden, down came the cloud again.  Nobody could detect any reason.  Affronts abounded--not received with an explosion that would have been combated, laughed at, and disposed of, but treated with silence, and each sinking down to be added to the weight of