'That was just what we said, Mrs. Morrison and I; but--and this is the worst part of it--she took the name of her friend and used her birth certificate, which this girl happened to have for some examination, and the girl actually went with Eva and identified her as being the person in the certificate.' 'Disgraceful!' burst out involuntarily from Stella. 'It is disgraceful, and now the man threatens her with exposure if she does not pay down the whole amount.' 'How much is it?' inquired Stella. 'Thirty-five pounds,' said Amy. 'That seems to me a good deal, even for that suite,' observed Stella. 'So it is; but he said it was credit price.' 'And how much has she paid?' asked Stella. 'Only five pounds, and she had to sell her watch and a gold bracelet and a silk dress to pay that, she says. She never could save out of her weekly salary,' explained Amy. Stella remembered poor Eva's motto made out of their four names, and thought how very inappropriate a one it had proved in her case. 'Poor Eva!' she exclaimed. 'Yes, indeed it is "poor Eva!" and I don't see how we are to help her; we cannot give her the thirty pounds, and the man demands it within eight days.' 'I don't believe he can; besides, if she has not got it, it is not any good his demanding it; he must take his furniture back,' declared Stella, who, though she did not know much of such business, had a good business head. 'He declares the furniture is not worth the half now, and threatens to take the matter into court, and put Eva in prison for getting goods under false pretences.' 'Has she no relations to whom she could go for advice? Surely she cannot be alone in the world?' Stella asked anxiously. 'I don't think she has any near relations; her father was a very peculiar man, and, I fancy, had quarrelled with all his relations, and his wife's as well. I know none ever came to visit them,' said Amy. 'She must have friends,' said Stella. 'She says she would rather be put in prison than tell any of them,' declared Amy. 'Then we must consult a lawyer. I wish Mr. Stacey were nearer; but he may know some one in London who would advise us, though I don't know what is to be done about the money. I have not thirty pounds at this minute,' said Stella. 'Nor have I, or I would give it willingly; it is dreadful to see her. She may say she is not ill, but she looks ill, and she will be if this goes on,' said Amy. Stella was very sorry for Eva; but she felt rather angry with her too, though her hard-heartedness would have melted if she could have seen Eva, who lay upon her bed looking the picture of woe. When Vava came back, the three of them sat down to dinner, an especially nice and tempting dinner made by the old housekeeper, who managed to make tasty dishes, in spite of being economical; and her young charges, for such they may truly be called, made a very good meal. 'I'll take some up to Eva; I 'm sure this will tempt her!' cried Vava when she had finished her dinner.