"But, at the same time, my dear," continued Miss Julia, in precisely the same formal tone, "we wish to tell you that we exonerate you from all blame in the matter." "And," concluded Miss Maria, "we are glad to say that your conduct since you have been under our care has been all that could be desired." The fair girl made a half step forward, her eyes filling with tears, and one hand was involuntarily raised, as if she would have liked to place it in that of the last speaker; but the three sisters drew themselves up a little more rigidly, and, as if in concert, drew in a long breath. The dark girl smiled faintly and looked bored. "It is an unpleasant thing for you to do, Miss Stuart, to have to bear witness against your schoolfellow and companion," resumed Miss Twettenham, her sisters tightening their lips as if to rigidly keep in the indignation they felt, and to subdue their desire to interrupt their elder, who, by right of seniority, was the principal spokeswoman upon such occasions. The dark girl raised her eyebrows slightly, and the corners of her well-shaped mouth twitched, and were drawn down in a provokingly attractive manner. "Will you kindly inform me, Miss Twettenham," she said, in a low, sweet voice, full of _hauteur_, "why I am to be subjected to this examination? Of what am I accused?" "Why, you know!" exclaimed Miss Maria, excitedly. "Of smiling at a man, miss!" and she seemed to shudder with indignant protest. "My dear Maria," exclaimed Miss Twettenham, severely, "you forget." "I beg your pardon, my dear Hannah!" exclaimed the younger sister, and she drew herself up and tightened her lips more and more. "I had intended to have approached the subject with more de--I mean caution," continued Miss Twettenham; "but since my sister has spoken out so plainly, I will only say that your conduct yesterday, Miss Perowne, places me under the necessity of confining your future walks to the garden." "My conduct?" said the girl, turning her dark eyes full upon the speaker. "Your conduct, Miss Helen Perowne," said the elder lady austerely. "It has for months past been far from in accordance with that we expect from the young ladies placed by their parents in our charge; but yesterday it culminated in the smile and look of intelligence we saw pass between you and that tall, fair gentleman who has of late haunted the outskirts of this place. I think I have your approval in what I say?" she added, turning to her sisters, who both bowed stiffly, and became more rigid than before. "Such conduct is worse than unbecoming. It is unladylike to a degree, and what is more, displays so great a want of womanly dignity and self-respect that I am reluctantly compelled to say that we feel our endeavours to instil a right moral tone and thoroughly decorous idea of a young lady's duties to have been thrown away." There was a slight twitching of the corners of the mouth and an involuntary shrugging of the shoulders here.