ied than I sometimes have been. I would
rely more upon myself. I may have encouraged my enemies by letting them
see how they could wound my sensitive feelings. I should not have been
so ill-treated by the whole world if I had not made some mistake of that
kind. I would rely more on myself, and let them see that they could not
touch my peace. Would not that be right?"

"Certainly; by your having a peace which they could not touch."

There was a short pause; after which Lady Carse said, in no unamiable
tone, "I do not say these things by way of asking your advice. I know
my own feelings and circumstances, and the behaviour of my family to me,
better than you can do. I may be left to judge for myself; but it is
natural, when a summons may come any day, to tell you what I think of
the past; and of how I shall act in the time to come."

"I quite understand that," said Annie. "And I like to hear all you like
to tell me without judging or advising, unless you ask me."

"Well, I fairly own to you--and you may take the confession for what it
is worth--if I had to live the last twenty years over again, I should in
some respects act differently, I now believe that I have said and done
some things that I had better not. But I was driven to it. I have been
most cruelly treated."

"You have."

"And if they had only known how to treat me! Why, you are not afraid of
me, are you?"

"Not in the least."

"And you never were?"

"Never."

"Why, there now! But you are a woman of sense."

"I am not afraid of you, and never was," said Annie looking calmly in
her face; "but I can understand how some people might be."

"Not people of sense," exclaimed Lady Carse quickly.

"Perhaps not; but we do not expect all that we have dealings with to be
people of sense."

"No, indeed! Nobody need ever look for sense in Lord Carse, for one.
Well! I am so glad you never were afraid of me; and I am sure,
moreover, that you love me: you are so kind to me!"

"I do," said Annie, smiling in reply to the wistful gaze.

Lady Carse's eyes filled with tears.

"Good night! God bless you!" said she.

"She says," thought Annie, "that I may take her confession for what it
is worth. How little she knows the worth of that confession!--a
confession that any acquaintance she has would blush or mock at, and
that any pastor in Scotland would rebuke! but to one who knows her as I
do, how precious it is! I like to be called to rejoice with