With a strong effort Frances controlled herself, and determined on trying persuasion; for she would find out where she got the flower. Now Frances had been dressing in her room, and had accidentally seen from her window Charles talking to the children; so when she, unfortunately for Fanny, met her in the passage, and saw the Camellia, she naturally enough concluded he had sent it. If not he, who had? but she was certain it was Charles; her new-born jealousy told her so. Still the child must confess and satisfy her, must confirm her suspicions, and then--but though Frances shut her teeth firmly, as some sudden thought flashed through her, yet she could not quite tell what her vengeance was to be, or what measures she would take; she only felt, only knew she must annihilate and crush her rival, and remove her out of her path. "I do not want the flower, Fanny," commenced she in a low voice, meant to propitiate and coax. "You would not have it, if you did!" replied Fanny, not a bit conciliated or deceived at the change of tone and voice. Frances could scarcely control her anger. "You need not hold it so determinately behind you. I am not going to take it from you." "No! I should not let you." "Nonsense! I could take it if I liked, but I do not want it; and I know where you got it too, Fanny." "No you don't, cousin. I am sure you don't." "But I do; for I saw your uncle give it you, just now." "If you saw him, why did you bother so? But I know you did not see him. You are telling me a fib, cousin Frances, and it's very wicked of you!" said Fanny, looking up reproachfully. At this, as Frances thought, confirmation of her doubts, her rage burst forth. "You little abominable, good-for-nothing creature! you have the face to accuse me of telling a falsehood; I will have you punished for it. Your Mamma shall know how shamefully you are being brought up by that would-be-saint, Miss Neville." "If you say a word against my governess," retorted Fanny, "I will tell Mamma, too; all I know you've done." "What have I done? you little bold thing, speak!" and she grasped the child's arm again, so sharply that Fanny's face flushed hotly with the pain; but she bore it firmly, and never uttered a cry, or said a word in reply. "Say what have I done. I will know." "You stole Miss Neville's work," replied Fanny fearlessly. "No one thinks it's you, but I know it, and could tell if I liked." "Tell what?" "That you took my governess's work," repeated Fanny. "I know it was you; because I saw her put it away in her basket before we went out, and when we came home again it was gone, and she has never found it since." "What are you talking about? I think you are crazed." "No, I am not. What did you go into the school-room for that day, while we were out? There's nothing of yours there; and why did you look so angry at Miss Neville, when we all came upstairs, if you had not taken away her piece of embroidery to vex and annoy her."