“I am sorry to trouble you,” began Lady Frances at once, “but I have come on a matter which occasioned me a little distress. I allude to the mystery of the torn book. Audrey has told me all about it, so I am in possession of full particulars. Of course I am extremely sorry for you, and can quite understand your feelings with regard to the injury of a book you value so much; but, at the same time, you will excuse my saying, Miss Henderson, that I think your mentioning Evelyn’s name in the way you did was a little too obvious. It was uncomfortable for the poor child, although I understand from my daughter that she took it extremely well.” “In a case of this kind,” replied Miss Henderson quietly, “one has to be just, and not to allow any favoritism to appear.” “Oh, certainly,” said Lady Frances; “it was my wish in sending both girls to school that they should find their level.” “And I regret to say,” answered Miss Henderson, “that your niece’s level is not a high one.” “Alas! I am aware of it. I have been terribly pained since Evelyn came home by her recklessness and want of obedience; but this is a very different matter. This shows a most depraved nature; and of course you cannot for a moment have suspected my niece when you spoke of her being alone in the room.” “Had any other girl been alone in the room I should equally have mentioned her name,” said Miss Henderson. “I certainly did not at the time suspect Miss Wynford.” “What do you mean by ‘did not at the time’? Have you changed your opinion?” Lady Frances’s face turned very white. “I am sorry to say that I have.” “What do you mean?” “If you will pardon me for a moment I will explain.” Miss Henderson left the room. While she was absent Lady Frances felt a cold dew breaking out on her forehead. “This is beyond everything,” she thought. “But it is impossible; the child could never have done it. What motive would she have? She is not as bad as that; and it was her very first day at school.” Miss Henderson re-entered the room, accompanied by Miss Thompson. In Miss Thompson’s hand was a copy of the History of England that Evelyn had been using. “Will you kindly open that book,” said Miss Henderson, “and show Lady Frances what you have found there?” Miss Thompson did so. She opened the History at the reign of Edward I. Between the leaves were to be seen two fragments of torn paper. Miss Thompson removed them carefully and laid them upon Lady Frances’s hand. Lady Frances glanced at them, and saw that they were beyond doubt torn from a copy of Ruskin’s _Sesame and Lilies_. She let them drop back again on to the open page of the book. “I accuse no one,” said Miss Henderson. “Even now I accuse no one; but I grieve to tell you, Lady Frances, that this book was in the hands of your niece, Evelyn Wynford, on that afternoon.—Miss Thompson, will you relate the entire circumstances to Lady Frances?”