"Oh, this is intolerable," said Mrs. Steward, clasping and unclasping her hands in her agitation. "The wicked girl, what has she done? Pray send for her at once, Miss Sherrard; if she has done anything really disgraceful I wash my hands of her. If you, her mistress, cannot give her a certificate, do you suppose that my husband and I will take her up?" "It is impossible for me to say, madam. In this emergency to really help Elma would be a Christian act. She may have been tempted beyond her strength, but you will be better able to decide when you know the circumstances." As Miss Sherrard spoke she rang the bell. "When the servant appeared, she desired her to bring Elma immediately into her presence. A moment later the young girl entered the room. She gave a wild and frightened glance first at her aunt, then at Miss Sherrard, then stepping forward, fell on her knees. "Has Kitty told you?" she gasped. "Yes, Elma. Get up; you cannot kneel to me." "Rise this minute you wicked girl!" said Mrs. Steward. Elma staggered to her feet. "It is all up, then," she murmured. "I know everything, Elma," said Miss Sherrard. "The knowledge has come to me as a painful surprise. Your aunt has just asked me to give you a testimonial with regard to character. I am bitterly pained to say that I must refuse to do so." "But what does it all mean," cried Mrs. Steward, "and why am I to be kept in the dark any longer? Elma, stop twirling your thumbs; stand back. Now, Miss Sherrard, I have paid the school fees for Elma Lewis for the last four years, so I presume I am entitled to know all about her. Tell me what has occurred. Of what she is accused?" Miss Sherrard then briefly related the story which had been told to her by Kitty. It was exactly the sort of tale which would affect a woman of Mrs. Steward's caliber disagreeably. She listened with a horror-stricken face. When the school-mistress had finished, she said abruptly: "What do you propose to do now?" "It will be necessary for me to explain the whole circumstances of Elma's wrong-doing to the entire school to-morrow," said Miss Sherrard. "This is necessary for the sake of Kitty Malone." "At what hour do you propose to make this very pleasant exhibition of my niece?" "After prayers to-morrow morning--I sent for you, Elma," continued Miss Sherrard, "to tell you, as I thought you ought to be prepared." "Thank you," answered Elma, her head bowed on her breast. She felt stunned and cold. The dreadful blow had fallen; but the acute misery which was immediately to follow was not at present awakened within her. "Come, Elma," said Mrs. Steward. She turned to leave the room. Just as she reached the door she looked back at Miss Sherrard. "After you have exposed Elma, and ruined her character for life, you will doubtless expel her?" she said. "I hope not--I think not." "In any case she leaves the school, for I pay no more fees. Come Elma." CHAPTER XXIII. STARS AND MOON, AND GOD BEHIND.