There was something in the eloquence and earnestness of the child that deeply impressed the mind of the lady, and she could hardly resist the conclusion that her agent had, in this instance, made a mistake. But she had great confidence in Dr. Flynch, and she was very unwilling to believe that he could be so harsh and cruel as the little girl represented. She had heard of the tricks of the vicious poor, and while she was disposed to be very tender of a needy tenant, she must be just to her agent. "It is now half-past ten," continued Mrs. Gordon. "You shall remain here, my child, and I will send Michael down to Colvin Court to inquire into the situation of your mother. He must be impartial for he knows nothing about the case." "Thank you, ma'am," said Katy, with a promptness which assured Grace, if not her mother, that the little girl was honest. Mrs. Gordon rang the bell, and when Michael answered the summons, she attended him to the street door, where she instructed him to call upon Mrs. Redburn, and also to inquire of the grocer at the corner, and of her neighbors, what sort of a person she was. The lady returned to the sitting-room when he had gone, and asked Katy a great many questions about herself and her mother, and thus nearly an hour was consumed, at the end of which time Michael returned. Katy had answered all the lady's questions fairly, though without betraying her family history, which her mother had cautioned her to keep to herself, that she was prepared to receive a favorable report from her man. "Well, Michael, did you find the woman at home?" asked Mrs. Gordon, as the man presented himself. "Indeed, I deed, marm." "What was she doing?" "She was fast in bed, and told me she hadn't been out of it for twelve weeks come Saturday." "What does the grocer say?" "He says she is a very good woman, but poor and proud. She always paid him every cent she owed him, and he'd trust her for half he has in his shop." "That will do, Michael; you may go;" and the man retired with a respectful bow. Katy's face wore a smile of triumph, as Michael was dismissed. Her mother's truthfulness had been vindicated, and it was the proudest moment she had known for many a day. "How long has your mother lived in my house?" asked Mrs. Gordon. "About three years, ma'am; and she always paid her rent till this month," replied Katy. "If she had not, Dr. Flynch would have turned her into the street," added Grace; and it was evident the beautiful young lady had no special regard for that worthy gentleman. "We have tried hard enough to pay the rent this month," continued Katy; and she proceeded to tell the story of the silver watch, that had belonged to her father. "This is dreadful, mother; let us do something about it," said Grace. "What a wretch the broker must have been!"