the carriage moved away, followed by a troop of ragamuffins,
leaping, laughing, and shouting, Franklin said,

"And now, my good fellow, I have submitted peaceably to this atrocious
outrage, tell me by whose authority you act, and in what way this
young lady has exposed herself to such an infamous insult?"

"Well, in the first place," said the man, coolly, "I act by the
authority of the Messieurs Blake, Blanchard & Co.; and in the second
place, the young lady has exposed herself to such an infamous insult
by stealing ten yards of Brussels' lace, at L12 a yard, value L120
sterling."

"Scoundrel!" exclaimed Franklin, again grasping his collar.

"Hollo! hollo! hollo!" cried the man--hands off, my cove! and keep a
civil tongue in your head, you'd best. It aint of no use, I give you
my word of honor."

"Miss Clifford--"

But Miss Clifford had covered her face with her white hands, which did
not conceal her still whiter complexion.

"Why, look ye, sir,", said the man, "if you really aint a party to the
offence, I'm very sorry for you. The business is just this here. The
shop of Blake, Blanchard & Co., has been frequently robbed, and
sometimes by ladies. I was called, not four mouths ago, to take a real
lady to prison, who had stole to the amount of L10. And to prison she
went, too, though some of the most respectable people in town came
down and begged for her. Now this here young lady came yesterday to
the shop of Blake, Blanchard & Co.--tumbled every thing upside down,
and bought nothing--went away--to-day came again--asked to see the
most valuable lace--bought ten shillings' worth of narrow edging, and
left the premises. At her departure she was seen to take ten yards of
lace--value, L120. I was called in, and followed her, with one of the
clerks, to identify her person. We perceived her walking fast--very
fast, indeed. It was as much as we could do to overtake her. The clerk
can swear to her identity--and the lace was found in her hand. Both
the young man and myself can swear to it, if she denies it--though I
caution you, Miss, not to say any thing at present, because it can be
used against you at your trial."

"I do not deny it," said Caroline, with flashing eyes. "I took the
lace, but did not know I took it."

"Oh! ho-ho!" said the man. "I hope you can make 'em believe that.
Perhaps you can."

"My dear friend," cried Mrs. Clifford, now nearly beside herself, "I
assure you, this is a frightful mistake. She ca