"I didn't know what to do, I were quite miserable; and the other servants began to chaff me, so I tried to forget all about better things, and put the Bible back in the drawer. But I couldn't let it rest there, so I kept reading it; but it didn't give me no peace. So I ventured to kneel me down in my pantry one day and ask God to guide me, and I felt a little happier after that. But I soon saw as it wouldn't do for me to remain any longer at the Hall, if I meant to mend my ways. I were mixed with so many of the others, I couldn't see my way out of the bad road at all if I stayed. I know I ought to have gone straight to Sir Lionel, and told him how I had been a-cheating him; but then I should have brought my fellow-servants, and some of the tradesmen too, into the scrape, and I couldn't see the end of it. So I made up my mind to cut and run. I know it's wrong, but I haven't got the courage just to confess all and face it out. "And now, what I want to do before I leave the country, for I can't stay in England, is to see and make amends to you, Jane, as far as I can. I have found out from one of your old friends here where you are living, and I mean to let you have this letter on my way. Sir Lionel has let me have a holiday to see my friends, and I haven't said anything about not coming back again. But he'll be glad enough that he's got shut of me when he comes to find out what I've been--more's the pity. I know better, and ought to be ashamed of myself; but, if I gets clear off into another country, I'll try and make amends to them as I've wronged in Monksworthy. You'll find the bracelet and the Bible along with this letter. Georgina took both bracelets, and left the one as didn't turn up with me; for, she said, if there was any searching for it they'd never suspect _me_ of taking it, but they might search _her_ things. "So now I think I have explained all; and when you get the Bible, and the bracelet, and this letter, the only favour I ask is that you will wait a month before you let her ladyship know anything about it, and that will give me time to get well out of the country. "So you must forgive me for all the wicked things I have done--and do ask the Lord to forgive me too. I hope I shall be able to turn over a new leaf. I shan't forget you, nor your good advice, nor what I did at you, nor the verses marked under with red-ink. So no more from your humble and penitent fellow-servant, "JH." Such was the letter, which was listened to by all with breathless interest. "And now what's `the next step'?" said Thomas Bradly. "I think your next step," said the vicar, "will be to go yourself to Lady Morville, and lay before her this conclusive evidence of your sister's innocence."