“Alas, there is no need, madam,” returned the waiting-maid. “I can tell you all--if you can bear to listen to it.” “I am listening,” said my Lady wearily; but she sat with her back towards Mistress Forest, and once, in the course of her recital, she uttered a piteous moan, and covered her face with her hands. “When Miss Letty told me what I have just said, my Lady, and had parted from me a little comforted, trying to persuade herself that she really might have been mistaken in what she had overheard, I instantly sought out Anne Rees, and bade her come with me to my room. You wouldn't have believed it in a girl as you yourself chose out of the village school, and who has been at the Abbey under my own eye for four years; but she refused point-blank: very respectful, I must say, but also very firm. 'I durstn't do it,' said she, all of a twitter--'not till Miss Rose is abed and asleep; or if I do, you may be certain sure as she will come to know it, and get out of me every word that may pass between us two.' “The girl looked as scared as though she had seen a ghost, and yet my request did not seem to come on her at all unexpected; and, in point of fact, she knew what she was wanted for well enough. However, I thought it best to let her have her way; and so it was arranged that she was to come to my room as soon as she had done with the young ladies--although 'tis little enough, indeed, she has done for Miss Letty of late weeks, but all for that spiteful little hussy, Miss Rose. “'Now,' said I when I got her alone, 'Anne Rees, there is nobody to listen to what we say, and you may speak to me as to your own mother.' “'Ah, Mistress Forest,' answered she, beginning to whimper,' I only wish I dared.' “'This young lady has got you under her thumb, I see, Annie. Now, if you'll tell me the whole truth of what is going on between her and Master Walter, I promise you that I'll turn her thumb _back_. It will hurt her a little--and that you won't be sorry for, perhaps--and it will set you _free_.' “'Oh, Mistress Forest, if you could only do _that_, I would be a good girl all my life, and never try on other people's clothes again, nor be a spy upon my Lady, and'---- Here she stopped quite short, and looked as though she would have bitten her tongue off. “'Now, Anne,' said I, 'you _must_ tell me, whether you will or not: for you have gone too far to turn back. How did Miss Rose Aynton make a slave of a well-conducted girl like you--with nothing but vanity, that I know of, to be said against you--and compel you to do all this dirty work for her?' “Well, Mistress Forest, as you truly say, I was always a vain child; and Heaven has punished me pretty sharp for it. One day, when the young ladies were out, and I was in Miss Aynton's room a-setting it to rights, what should I come upon--where, perhaps, I had no right to look for it, for it was evidently-meant to be hidden--but a queer-shaped leather box with trinkets in it.'