or meddling, and
knowing nothing about what don't concern me, and is out of my province.
Now, I wish I had let the poor young lady be more friendly with me, for
maybe I could have been of use to her in her need.

"You had no suspicion?"

"No, ma'am; though I find there were those who suspected some one
came up here disguised as Jumbo; but I was never one to lend an ear to
gossip, and by that time I trusted the dear young lady altogether, and
knew she would never knowingly do aught that was unbecoming her station,
or her religion."

"I am glad the dear child won your good opinion," said Betty.

"Indeed, ma'am, that you may say," returned Mrs. Aylward, whom anxiety
had made confidential; "for I own I was prejudiced against her from the
first, as, if you'll excuse me, ma'am, all we Bowstead people are apt
to be set against whatever comes from my Lady's side. However, one must
have been made of the nether millstone not to feel the difference she
made in the house. She was the very life of it with her pretty ways,
singing and playing with the children, and rousing up the poor gentleman
too that had lived just like a mere heathen in a dungeon, and wouldn't
so much as hear a godly word in his despair. And now he has a minister
once a fortnight to read prayers, and is quite another man--all through
that blessed young lady, who has brought him back to light and life."
And as Betty's tears flowed at this testimony to her sister, the
housekeeper added, "Never you fear, ma'am; she is one of God's innocents
and His Hand will be over her."

Meantime, having dismissed the young lover to take, if he could, a
much needed night's rest, the Major was listening to Mr. Belamour's
confession. "I was the most to blame, in as much as an old fool is worse
than a young one; and I would that the penalty fell on me alone."

"If she be in my cousin's hands I cannot believe that she will permit
any harm to befall her," said the good Major, still clinging to his
faith in Urania--the child he had taught to ride, and with whom he had
danced her first minuet.

"What I dread most is her being forced into some low marriage," said Mr.
Belamour. "The poor child's faith in the ceremony that passed must have
been overthrown, and who can tell what she may be induced to accept?"

"It was that threat which moved you?" said the Major.

"Yes. Hargrave assured me that my Lady had actually offered her to him,
with a bribe of a farm on easy terms; and when