“Ay, ay, my lad, we must see about that. I cannot let you send a whole pack of falsehoods over to Bramleigh, and make as much mischief in my family as your mother made in Mr. Longstaff's. It is needful to look after your doings. Is the letter in your pocket?” Having received an answer in the affirmative, she directed Palethorpe to search him for it; an operation which that amiable individual very soon concluded by drawing the desired document from his trowsers. “Oh, this is it, is it?” said Miss Sowersoft, as she partly opened it to assure herself. “Well, well,” folding it up again: “we'll read this by and by. Now, what did you hear us talking about? If you say anything shameful, now, and we shall know whether it is true or not directly that we hear it,--if you do not say something--a--. You know what Scripture tells you, always to speak well of your mistress and master. Be careful, now. What did we say?” “Please, 'um,” replied Colin, “you said, that when people get married they strike a balance between them; and that if one thing was on one side, and nothing on the other, you should lose your resolution, and make a sacrifice of the little you possess, whatever it is.” “Oh, you little wretch!” ejaculated Maria. “Go on with your lies, go on! and you _shall_ have it on your shoulders when you have done. What else, you vile toad?” Colin stood mute. “What next, I say!” stormed the lady, with a furious stamp of the right foot. “Why, then, mum,” added Colin, “I heard Palethorpe kiss you.” “Kiss me!--kiss me, you young rascal!” and the face of Miss Sowersoft became as red as the gills of one of her own turkey-cocks at the discovery. “If you dare to say such a thing as that again, I 'll strip the very skin off your back,--I will, you caitiff! Kiss _me_, indeed! A pretty tale to tell as ever I heard!” “I'm sure it's true,” blubbered the boy; “for I heard it ever so many times.” “Oh!” exclaimed the virtuous Miss Sowersoft, “so we have got it out of you at last. What!--your mother has set you to watch your mistress, has she? That's all her schooling, is it? But Mr. Palethorpe shall learn you to spy about this house,--He shall, you dog!” That worthy was now about to pounce upon his victim, but was again arrested by his mistress. “Stop! stop!--we have not done yet,” pulling the letter before mentioned from her bosom; “there is a pretty budget here, I 'll be bound to say. After such as this, we may expect anything. There is nothing too bad for him.” While Palethorpe held the culprit fast by one hand, and the lantern in the other, he and Miss Sowersoft enjoyed the high gratification of perusing together the said letter which follows:-- _“Dear Mother and Fanny,_