s, first in
private, then in the presence of one or two witnesses, and at last
before the church. The passage was read so emphatically that Annie's
heart beat thick and fast. But this did not prepare her for what
followed. In his sermon the pastor explained that though the scriptural
expression was, "If thy brother trespass," the exhortation was equally
applicable to any Christian sister who should offend. He declared that
if any Christian sister was present who was conscious of having
trespassed on the comfort and natural feelings of an afflicted and
persecuted personage whom they had the honour to entertain among them,
he besought the offending sister to enquire of herself whether she had
not been rebuked first alone, then in the presence of a witness--alas!
in vain; and whether, therefore, the time had not come for a rebuke
before the Church. He would, however, name no one, but leave yet some
place for repentance; and so forth.

Annie's natural dismay, terrible as it was, soon yielded before the
appeal to her conscience, which the pastor supposed would appal her.
She knew that she was right; and in this knowledge she raised her bowed
head, and listened more calmly than many others. If there had been any
doubt among the small congregation as to who was meant, Lady Carse would
have dispersed it. She sat in the front row, with the minister's
family. Unable to restrain her vindictive satisfaction, she started up
and pointed with her finger, and nodded at Annie. The pitying calm gaze
with which Annie returned the insult went to many hearts, and even to
Mrs Ruthven's so far so that she pulled the lady by the skirt, and
implored her to sit down.

There are many precious things which remain always secrets to those who
do not deserve to know them. For instance, tyrants know nothing of the
animating and delicious reaction which they cause in the souls of their
victims. The cheerfulness, sweetness and joy of their victims has ever
been, and will ever be, a perplexity to oppressors. It was so now to
Mr Ruthven, after an act of tyranny perpetrated, as most acts of
tyranny are, under a mistaken, an ignorant and arrogant sense of duty.
Not only did the widow stand up with others for the closing psalm--her
voice was the firmest, sweetest, clearest in the assembly--so sweet and
clear that it came back even upon her own ear with a sort of surprise.
As for others, all were more or less moved. But their emotion had the
co