Three months of constant fear and agonising suspense wore away, and no one, not even Margaret, suspected Esther's condition. Encouraged by her success, and seeing still very little sign of change in her person, and as every penny she could earn was of vital consequence in the coming time, Esther determined to risk another month; then she would give notice and leave. Another month passed, and Esther was preparing for departure when a whisper went round, and before she could take steps to leave she was told that Mrs. Barfield wished to see her in the library. Esther turned a little pale, and the expression of her face altered; it seemed to her impossible to go before Mrs. Barfield and admit her shame. Margaret, who was standing near and saw what was passing in her mind, said-- "Pull yourself together, Esther. You know the Saint--she's not a bad sort. Like all the real good ones, she is kind enough to the faults of others." "What's this? What's the matter with Esther?" said Mrs. Latch, who had not yet heard of Esther's misfortune. "I'll tell you presently, Mrs. Latch. Go, dear, get it over." Esther hurried down the passage and passed through the baize door without further thought. She had then but to turn to the left and a few steps would bring her to the library door. The room was already present in her mind. She could see it. The dim light, the little green sofa, the round table covered with books, the piano at the back, the parrot in the corner, and the canaries in the window. She knocked at the door. The well-known voice said, "Come in." She turned the handle, and found herself alone with her mistress. Mrs. Barfield laid down the book she was reading, and looked up. She did not look as angry as Esther had imagined, but her voice was harder than usual. "Is this true, Esther?" Esther hung down her head. She could not speak at first; then she said, "Yes." "I thought you were a good girl, Esther." "So did I, ma'am." Mrs. Barfield looked at the girl quickly, hesitated a moment, and then said-- "And all this time--how long is it?" "Nearly seven months, ma'am." "And all this time you were deceiving us." "I was three months gone before I knew it myself, ma'am." "Three months! Then for three months you have knelt every Sunday in prayer in this room, for twelve Sundays you sat by me learning to read, and you never said a word?" A certain harshness in Mrs. Barfield's voice awakened a rebellious spirit in Esther, and a lowering expression gathered above her eyes. She said-- "Had I told you, you would have sent me away then and there. I had only a quarter's wages, and should have starved or gone and drowned myself." "I'm sorry to hear you speak like that, Esther." "It is trouble that makes me, ma'am, and I have had a great deal." "Why did you not confide in me? I have not shown myself cruel to you, have I?" "No, indeed, ma'am. You are the best mistress a servant ever had, but--" "But what?"