inuate by calling me Methodist as
you did just now. It may either be that you intend it as a term of
reproach to me, or as a mark of disrespect to the worthy body of people
who bear that name--"

"You hear her!" Interrupted Mona with a laugh, "you hear her defending
them. Didn't I tell you so?"

"I mean to say," continued Minnie, ignoring the interruption, "that if
you mean by calling me Methodist that I profess to go about continually
doing good, you are mistaken. Until now, I have not as you hinted, made
any profession at all, but I am not ashamed to own that I consider it
the noblest thing in life, to be good and to do good, and if by taking
the name of Methodist I might the better attain that object I should be
happy to do so."

"Ah!" replied Mona with a sneer, as no one else spoke, "it is quite
affecting I'm sure, to hear you say so. I should not be at all surprised
if that good-looking Methodist Minister from Canningate, had something
to do with these novel notions. I heard he had evinced great interest
in the heathen of Hollowmell."

Minnie's pale cheeks flushed with indignation, and for a moment she
forgot everything but Mona's cruel insinuation.

"It is certainly flattering to know you take such an interest in my
proceedings," she began, angrily, then checking herself hastily, she
continued in a softer tone: "I don't know why you should say such a
thing of me, Mona. What I have done (and the motive I had for keeping it
secret, was because it was so little), I have done from a simple wish to
make my life of some use, and benefit my father's tenants."

Mona smiled derisively but did not speak.

"I do not fear to say I am a Christian," continued Minnie, turning to
the other girls after a short pause. "Even in spite of Mona's sarcasm,
and though I do often come short of what one bearing that name should
be, I am not the less determined to persevere in my endeavours to make
these failures as few and far between as possible; and that any one here
will intentionally attempt to frustrate these efforts I cannot believe."

"That is a challenge directed to me, I suppose," observed Mona laughing
disagreeably.

"For shame, Mona!" cried one of the girls with warmth. "Your sharpness
is no match for Minnie's earnestness, I am sure all here think so!" and
she turned to the rest for confirmation.

"Yes, yes!" cried several voices enthusiastically.

"And I, for one," continued the young lady who had spoken, "though I