Mrs. Belassis smiled a peculiar smile on hearing this announcement, and remarked that she had quite expected some such step as this—anything to keep his friend away. Her own theory on the subject was distinctly strengthened. On the second day after his return, as Tor was sauntering leisurely homewards through the shady lanes, he came across a respectable-looking girl, sitting by the roadside and crying bitterly and uncontrollably. He was too kind-hearted to pass by altogether unheeding, so he stopped, and asked the girl what was the matter. With a great many sobs, and tears, and repetitions, the story came out. She was, or had been, a housemaid at Thornton House for nearly two years, and her name was Betsy Long, and she was afraid she had a quick temper and a saucy tongue. The mistress had spoken about it more than once, and she had tried; but some things would make a saint fly out—and to try and take away a poor girl’s character! Recalled to the point, she went on to say that Mrs. Belassis had missed some money off her dressing-table, and had accused Betsy of having taken it. The girl had denied it strenuously, and had lost her temper, and had become violent. Mrs. Belassis had discharged her at a week’s notice, and had declined to give her a character; and then Betsy, with a burst of sobs, explained that she had a mother and sick sister more than half dependent upon her, and that it would break their hearts to hear that she had lost her place without the chance of getting another; for her character was gone, and she didn’t know what would become of her. There was sufficient sincerity in the girl’s manner to impress Tor with the belief that she was speaking the truth, and was innocent of the misdeed of which she had been accused. He was sorry for her, and thought that Mrs. Belassis had been hard, as might, perhaps, be expected from so hard a woman. ‘I will speak to Mrs. Belassis for you,’ he said, after a little reflection. ‘You had better not give way like that. Come up to the Manor House this afternoon at five. We will see if something cannot be done for you.’ ‘Thank you, sir—thank you kindly,’ said Betsy, with a curtsey, drying her eyes. Tor was not far from Thornton House, so he turned his steps in that direction, and, at a corner, encountered Mrs. Belassis, bound for her own abode. He lifted his hat and joined her, with a few words of greeting. ‘I have just met your housemaid in great trouble at being summarily dismissed from your service. Has she really been robbing you?’ ‘No; I found out that my husband had taken the money, unknown to me, and I shall let Betsy know; but at the same time she is such a saucy, impudent girl, I am quite glad to be rid of her.’ ‘You will not take her back, then?’ ‘Certainly not, after such language as she used.’ ‘Had she not some excuse? It was a serious charge against her. A little heat was only natural.’