you think proper," said the agitated girl.

"Well, well, you are mighty high, I think, for a person obliged to
work for her bread. You are come down pretty low, and may----"

"Hold!" said Helen, "let me intreat you, Mrs. Falkner, to desist these
cruel taunts. God has been pleased to place me in my present position;
and it is, with thankfulness, nay, with pride, I exert the talents he
has given me for the support of myself and the dear children, he has
committed to my care. Poverty, madam, may _try_ us, and that severely;
but while we act rightly, it can never _degrade_ us, but in the eyes
of those, unfeeling as yourself."

"Mighty fine and heroic, to be sure! Is it not a pity Mr. Mortimer
isn't hidden somewhere to hear you, as he was when you sung, and
pretended not to know he was listening. He could see through it,
though, as well as we did; and let, me tell you, artful as you are,
that he is not a bird to be caught with chaff. But there's your money,
so give me a receipt." This, she no sooner received than off she
started.

Helen, who had, with difficulty, restrained her tears, now gave way to
her feelings, and thus relieved her over-charged heart. At this
moment, Mrs. Cameron came in, and having heard all that had passed,
said:

"Never mind, my dear child, we must all be tried, some way or other,
and even this cruel heartless woman could not vex you thus did not God
permit her to do so; we have all, yes, the very best of us, proud,
rebellious hearts, that need chastisement; and it is not for us to
choose, how it is to be done. God knows best; meet it, therefore, my
dear, humbly, as from _Him_, and not _man_; all will yet come right.
You are a good girl; still Helen dear, you need, as we all do, the
chastening of the Almighty, for we every one of us, come short, and
'when weighed in His balance, are found wanting,'"

A few days after this, Henry, who had been out fishing, came in, with
his basket full of trout."

"Look there, Helen," said he, "what do you think of that? There's
trout for you?"

"Why, Henry dear, are you already so expert at fishing?" asked his
sister.

"No," replied Henry, "but a gentleman joined me, and we angled
together. See, what beautiful flies he has given me! He caught three
fish to my one, but he would make me take all. Oh, he's a real nice
fellow. He has hired Mr. Bently's hunting lodge for the season, and
says I may go with him, whenever I please, if you will let me.

"Whenever