eard the feet of Mary slowly moving along
the passage. Then the murmur of her voice reached my ears. Presently
I heard her say:

"I wonder who it is from? Mrs. Smith gets a great many letters. No
envelope, thank goodness! but a plain, good old fashioned letter. I
must see who it is from."

By this time Mary had stepped within the back parlor. I stood, hid
from her view, by one of the folding doors, which was closed, but
within a few feet of her.

"From Mrs. Jackson! Hum--m. I wonder what she's got to say?
Something about me, I'll bet a dollar."

There was a very apparent change in the thermometer of Mary's
feelings at this last thought, as was evident from the tone of her
voice.

"Lace collars--stockings--pocket han--. I can't make out that word,
but it is handkerchiefs, of course," thus Mary read and talked to
herself. "Breastpin--this is too mean! It's not true, neither. I'm a
great mind to burn the letter. Mrs. Smith would never be the wiser.
I won't give it to her now, at any rate. I'll put it in my pocket,
and just think about it."

The next sound that came to my ears was the pattering of Mary's feet
as she went hurrying up the stairs.

In a few minutes I followed. In one of my chambers I found Mary, and
said to her:

"Didn't the carrier leave me a letter just now?"

The girl hesitated a moment, and then answered:

"Oh, yes, ma'am. I have it here in my pocket."

And she drew forth the letter, crumbled, as was usually the case
with all that passed through her hands.

I took it, with some gravity of manner; for I felt, naturally
enough, indignant. Mary flushed a little under the steady eye that I
fixed upon her.

The letter, or note, was from my friend, Mrs. Jackman, and read as
follows:

"MY DEAR MRS. SMITH.--Do call in and see me some time to-day. I have
bought some of the cheapest laces, stockings, and cambric pocket
handkerchiefs that ever were seen. There are more left; and at a
great bargain. You must have some. And, by the way, bring with you
that sweet breastpin I saw you wear at Mrs. May's last Thursday
evening. I want to examine it closely. I must have one just like it.
Do come round to-day; I've lots of things to say to you.

Yours, &c."

"Nothing so dreadful in all that," I said to myself, as I re-folded
the letter. "My curious lady's conscience must be a little active!
Let's see what is to come of this."

It is hardly in the nature of woman to look very lovingly upon the
servant