‘I have always pitied him so,’ continued Tessie, in a low voice, ‘because he used to live in such different style, you know, with every comfort about him, and it must have been such a dreadful trial to come down to his present life. And I have thought, sometimes, that he had such a fresh innocent sort of mind, he really did not think how fast money went, nor what trouble he was laying up for himself and us in the future. Sometimes I hardly believe he realises it now. He seems so happy and contented and cheerful under it all.’ I could not say anything to her either in acquiescence or by way of consolation. I thought of the innocent ingenuous Harold Skimpole in ‘Bleak House,’ who cheated everybody, and was too childlike to understand what he was doing, and I felt nothing but contempt and disgust for my reverend guardian. I understood now the farce he had been playing with regard to my little allowance, and felt sure that unless some desperate effort were made on my behalf, I should never see any of it at all. ‘You will not tell Ange?’ reiterated Tessie, pleadingly. ‘No, Tessie! certainly not, since you desire it. But do you think it possible she does not guess the state of affairs?’ ‘Oh, I am _sure_ she does not. It would kill Ange to think papa one whit less perfect than she does. You don’t know how she loves him, Hilda. Even Madame Marmoret, who is very spiteful sometimes against poor papa in my presence, has never mentioned a word about him to Ange, because she says she is sure she will never smile again if she once knows it.’ ‘I suppose your father owes Madame Marmoret money also then,’ I said bluntly. I was resolved, now I had ascertained so much, to hear the whole of it. It was best to see the extent of the danger which I ran. ‘Yes,’ replied Tessie, hesitatingly, ‘and her wages must have fallen a long way behind also. Poor Madame has had much to try her, and I do not wonder that sometimes she feels a little sore and angry. Ange is not always so patient with her as she might be. She does not know the reason as I do.’ ‘Why does Madame dislike me so much, Tessie?’ ‘I don’t think she dislikes you personally, but she thought your coming to live with us would be an extra expense and increase papa’s debts, I suppose. She knows that the goodness of papa’s heart often overbalances the greatness of his mind.’ ‘But is she not aware, then, that I pay your father a hundred a year for my board and lodging?’ Tessie looked round at me with a face of astonishment. ‘Hilda! is that so?’ she demanded. ‘Of course it is so! Have you not been told it before?’ ‘Never!’ ‘And what did you suppose, then? That I was living on your father’s charity?’