brought to shame through her doings, and
a gentleman as is a clergyman got himself talked about--it's gone nigh
to kill me, that's what it's done," sobbed the virtuous matron; "and I
don't see as nobody cares."

Miss Leonora had been woke up suddenly out of her abstract
occupations; she penetrated to the heart of the matter while all this
talk was going on. She transfixed her sister Dora, who seemed much
inclined to cry like Mrs Elsworthy, with a look which overwhelmed that
trembling woman; then she addressed herself with great suavity to the
matter in hand.

"I suppose it is this poor little foolish child who has been getting
herself talked about?" said Miss Leonora. "It's a pity, to be sure,
but I daresay it's not so bad as you think. As for her laying snares
for people above her, I wouldn't be afraid of that. Poor little thing!
It's not so easy as you think laying snares. Perhaps it's the new
minister at Salem Chapel who has been paying attention to her? I would
not take any notice of it if I were you. Don't let her loll about at
the window as she's doing, and don't let her go out so late, and give
her plenty of work to do. My maid wants some one to help in her
needlework. Perhaps this child would do, Cecilia?" said Miss Leonora.
"As for her snares, poor thing, I don't feel much afraid of them. I
daresay if Mr Wentworth had Sunday classes for the young people as I
wished him to have, and took pains to give them proper instruction,
such things would not happen. If you send her to my maid, I flatter
myself she will soon come to her senses. Good morning; and you will
please to send me the books--there are some others I want you to get
for me next week," said Mr Elsworthy's patroness. "I will follow you,
Dora, please," and Miss Leonora swept her sisters out before her, and
went upon her way with indescribable grandeur. Even little Rosa felt
the change, where she sat at the window looking out. The little vain
creature no longer felt it possible to believe, as she looked after
them, that she ever could be anything to the Miss Wentworths except a
little girl in a shop. It shook her confidence in what people said;
and it was as well for her that she withdrew from the window at that
conjuncture, and so had an opportunity of hearing her aunt come
up-stairs, and of darting back again to the penitential darkness of
her own chamber at the back of the house--which saved Rosa some angry
words at least.

As for Miss Leonora Wen