s Regina in the shrubbery, and the money you
kindly gave me. I believe Mrs. Ormond is at the bottom of it; you
remember nobody knew where she was, when I thought she was in the
house speaking to the cook. That's guess-work, I allow, so far. What is
certain is, that I have been spoken to as if I was the lowest creature
that walks the streets. Mrs. Farnaby refuses to give me a character,
sir. She actually said she would call in the police, if I didn't leave
the house in half an hour. How am I to get another place, without a
character? I'm a ruined girl, that's what I am--and all through You!"

Threatened at this point with an illustrative outburst of sobbing
Amelius was simple enough to try the consoling influence of a sovereign.
"Why don't you speak to Miss Regina?" he asked. "You know she will help
you."

"She has done all she can, sir. I have nothing to say against Miss
Regina--she's a good creature. She came into the room, and begged, and
prayed, and took all the blame on herself. Mrs. Farnaby wouldn't hear
a word. 'I'm mistress here,' she says; 'you had better go back to your
room.' Ah, Mr. Amelius, I can tell you Mrs. Farnaby is your enemy as
well as mine! you'll never marry her niece if _she_ can stop it. Mark my
words, sir, that's the secret of the vile manner in which she has used
me. My conscience is clear, thank God. I've tried to serve the cause of
true love--and I'm not ashamed of it. Never mind! my turn is to come.
I'm only a poor servant, sent adrift in the world without a character.
Wait a little! you see if I am not even (and better than even) with Mrs.
Farnaby, before long! _I know what I know._ I am not going to say any
more than that. She shall rue the day," cried Phoebe, relapsing into
melodrama again, "when she turned me out of the house like a thief!"

"Come! come!" said Amelius, sharply, "you mustn't speak in that way."

Phoebe had got her money: she could afford to be independent. She
rose from her chair. The insolence which is the almost invariable
accompaniment of a sense of injury among Englishwomen of her class
expressed itself in her answer to Amelius. "I speak as I think, sir. I
have some spirit in me; I am not a woman to be trodden underfoot--and so
Mrs. Farnaby shall find, before she is many days older."

"Phoebe! Phoebe! you are talking like a heathen. If Mrs. Farnaby has
behaved to you with unjust severity, set her an example of moderation on
your side. It's your duty as a Christian