mma," she replied; "I plainly heard Willie ask her to
become his wife; how I _hate_ her; and the thought of Willie's loving
her almost causes me to hate him."

"Hush!" exclaimed Mrs. Leighton; "I will investigate this matter
myself."

I hurried up to my room. I knew there was trouble in store for me, and
I felt strong to meet it; for my own conscience acquitted me of any
wrong-doing. After some little time had passed, I heard the footsteps of
Mrs. Leighton ascending the stairs; and a moment after she rapped at my
door. I opened the door and invited her to enter, and be seated. She
then seated herself, and sat for some moments in silence. Her
countenance expressed both sorrow and anger, for, up to this time, I
believed that Mrs. Leighton had loved me. I waited for Mrs. Leighton to
open the subject, for I well knew what had brought her to my room, and I
cared not how soon she made known the object of her visit. At length she
said,--

"It seems to me, Miss Roscom, that you have rendered a very base return
for my kindness."

As she seemed waiting my reply, I said,--

"Will you have the goodness, Mrs. Leighton, to explain your words, for I
am unable to comprehend their meaning?"

Her voice expressed much displeasure as she answered:

"I was not aware that my words required any explanation; but, if they
do, it shall be given in few words. How dare you so far forget your own
position, and ours, as to entice my son into making a proposal of
marriage to one so much his inferior as you must know yourself to be?"

Should I live a hundred years I can never forget the shock her words
gave me. I fairly trembled with anger. Rising to my feet, I looked her
steadily in the face, as I said,--

"That your words are false, as well as heartless, I need not tell you,
as you are already aware of the fact. I appeal to you if I have ever in
any way courted the society of Willie. If he has asked me to become his
wife, is it through any fault of mine? But you need give yourself no
uneasiness upon the subject, for I have already told Willie that I will
never become the wife of any man whose friends would look upon me as
their inferior. For, though poor, and obliged to labor for my bread, I
possess a spirit equally proud with your own, and that spirit your
insulting words have roused. When you accuse me of enticing Willie into
making a proposal of marriage, you well know that your accusation is
false and without foundation."

"I suppos