throw the bloody head in my face, too, and heard you tell me that I "should be served in the same way '" myself. And she heard you say, "too, that it was all my lady's orders. "Did not you, my lady Mary? I am "sure you will not say you did'nt." The poor Lady Mary, sadly discomfited by this appeal, sat trembling and silent. Three times the truth rose to her lips, and a voice within her heart told her that she ought to give it utterance. But a glance from the eyes of Mrs. Pegg silenced the feeble voice of conscience, and repelled the truth that sat upon the tongue. Lady N. looked at her daughter in surprise, and do you know any thing of this, "my love?" said she, taking her kindly by the hand. "Do, pray tell," cried Mrs. Pegg, in a tone which Lady Mary perfectly well knew how to interpret, did you "ever see me do such a thing in your "life? Me twist off the head of a "tame pigeon! Do, pray tell, my "dear, I insist upon your speaking." Lady Mary was still silent. "Bless you, dear sweet young lady, speak," cried Tom. "I am sure and "certain you can't have forgotten." "Was there ever such impudence!" cried Mrs. Pegg in a voice half choaked with rage, "you little story-telling 66 villain, I shall know who it is that "has put you upon this." Then turning to Lady Mary, whose hand she at the same time seized with vehemence, "tell this moment, I insist upon it. "Did you ever see me do such a thing ?" 66 "No," faintly uttered the too timid Lady Mary: the consciousness of so flagrantly departing from truth and justice, dying her face with crimson as she spoke. "Now," cried Mrs. Pegg, in exul tation. "Now, my lady, I hope you "will believe, I hope you see what a "knave this is: if Your Ladyship chuses "to listen to him all day you will "have plenty of stories, I'll be bound "for it." "You know it is no story," said Tom, 66 indeed, indeed, my lady, it " is no story; I have not a friend in "the wide world, but God; and my 66 mammy told me God would be my "friend while I told the truth. In"deed, my lady, I don't lye, and if "your ladyship's honour will let me go back to the castle, I will bring proof that I don't.” 66 "What astonishing impudence!" cried Mrs. Pegg, turning up the whites of her eyes, "I wonder how Your Ladyship can encourage such "a depraved little wretch. I should "hope Your Ladyship cannot possibly "take "take his word against mine and Lady Mary's too! Shall I bid the coach. "man drive on ?" The Lady N. silently assented. coachman smacked his whip. The horses darted forward, and poor honest little Tom was left a helpless orphan, destitute and forlorn, to seek his way through a world in which he saw hypocrisy and falsehood triumph over innocence and truth; and in which he found the ear of the powerful to be only open to favourites and flatterers, even when justice and judg ment lifted up the voice! Had Lady N. been sensible of the fatal impression which her conduct at that moment made upon the mind of a fellow creature,-had she foreseen the consequences which ensued from depriving this, then innocent boy, of the confidence which he had been taught to put in the certain success of H 6 of integrity, she would have been struck with horror! But though these consequences were too remote to be distinctly foreseen, she must doubtless be considered as responsible for them, in so far as she acted upon other principles than those which her heart and conscience most seriously approved. She was in reality far from being satisfied that Mrs. Pegg was free from blame, and far from being convinced that the boy said what was false; but she had not courage to pursue an enquiry, which, if it terminated to the disadvantage of her favourite, would disturb her own peace; and which would at any rate give a sad shock to her poor nerves! The principle of selfishness was, therefore, in Lady N. more powerful than the principle of justice. She had from youth been accustomed to cultivate |