"You defy me, do you?" said she. "No!" I replied, recalled to myself. "I was wrong to speak so. Not that I fear you, Lady Leighton. But I want nothing from this house save what is rightly mine. I have not wrought for gold, and I have no debts to put me in any man's power." She winced at this, I could see, but answered haughtily. "I am not here to bandy words with a discharged waiting-maid. Go and put your things together—such as you need at once. The rest I will give orders about. Leave this house within half an hour, or I will order the men to put you forth, like what you are!" It showed the essentially cruel nature of the woman, that she should add this insult to the injury she had already done me. And it was to her that I must leave my love, my lily, my other self. I can hardly recall, even now, without sickness of heart, the feelings with which I gathered together so many of my possessions as I could conveniently carry. I had not finished when Mrs. Wilson came to the room followed by the French waiting-woman. "So Miss Corbet, I always said pride would have a fall!" said she, in her old insolent tone, which she had not used toward me for many a day. "Just be pleased to separate your things from Miss Leighton's, will you? Fine doings, when a young lady and her waiting-woman keep their clothes together in the same drawers. But there will be an end of all that now." I did not answer, but stepped into the closet to take my Bible and Prayer-book. Wilson followed me, and, shutting the door as if by accident, she seized my hand and whispered— "Poor thing, I know how it is. Don't you take it too much to heart, but keep up your spirits, and I will look after your things, and send all safe. I dared not speak before that French spy." Then aloud. "I cannot let you take that, Miss Corbet—not till I have Miss Leighton's leave—" "Wilson, if I have ever done you a good turn, be kind to Miss Leighton!" I whispered. "I will, I will, and it shall go hard, but I will get you news of her. What shall I tell her?" "Tell her I was sent away—that they would not let me stay to see her. I am going to Mrs. Deborah." "Quite right. I'll befriend her, if only to save my poor dear lady from sinning—don't be too hard on her, Miss Corbet. She is in trouble herself." Then aloud again. "There, you have had time enough, in all conscience." So pack off. "No, I don't want any money, Miss—" as I offered her a gold piece I had in my pocket. "There, go. I'd say God bless you, if I dared." "God bless you, Wilson, and teach you to know and follow Him!" said I.