horrid!" she cried, and buried her face in the pillow.

All this time Letty had been so bewildered by Mary's agitation, and the
cause of it was to her so vague, that apprehension for her cousin did
not wake. But when Mary was silent, then came the thought that, if she
had not so repulsed him--but she could not help it, and would not think
in that direction.

Mary started from the couch, and began again to pace the room, wringing
her hands, and walking up and down like a wild beast in its cage. It
was so unlike her to be thus seriously discomposed, that Letty began to
be frightened. She sat silent and looked at her. Then spoke the spirit
of truth in the scholar, for the teacher was too troubled to hear. She
rose, and going up to Mary from behind, put her arm round her, and
whispered in her ear:

"Mary, why don't you ask Jesus?"

Mary stopped short, and looked at Letty. But she was not thinking about
her; she was questioning herself: why had she not done as Letty said?
Something was wrong with her: that was clear, if nothing else was! She
threw herself again on the couch, and Letty saw her body heaving with
her sobs. Then Letty was more frightened, and feared she had done
wrong. Was it her part to remind Mary of what she knew so much better
than she?

"But, then, I was only referring her to herself!" she thought.

A few minutes, and Mary rose. Her face was wet and white, but
perplexity had vanished from it, and resolution had taken its place.
She threw her arms round Letty, and kissed her, and held her face
against hers. Letty had never seen in her such an expression of emotion
and tenderness.

"I have found out, Letty, dear," she said. "Thank you, thank you,
Letty! You are a true sister."

"What have you found out, Mary?"

"I have found out why I did not go at once to ask Him what I ought to
do. It was just because I was afraid of what he would tell me to do."

And with that the tears ran down her cheeks afresh.

"Then you know now what to do?" asked Letty.

"Yes," answered Mary, and sat down.

CHAPTER LI.

A HARD TASK.

The next morning, leaving the shop to Letty, Mary set out immediately
after breakfast to go to Thornwick. But the duty she had there to
perform was so distasteful, that she felt her very limbs refuse the
office required of them. They trembled so under her that she could
scarcely walk. She sent, therefore, to the neighboring inn for a fly.
All the way, as she went, she was hop