that, although she was not the rose, she lived near the rose.  Besides, she was of so tender a nature that even thick-skinned Mrs Goodenough was unwilling to say what would give Miss Phoebe pain; and it was the new-comer Mrs. Dawes, who in all ignorance alluded to the town’s talk, as to something of which Miss Phoebe must be aware.  Then Miss Phoebe poured down her questions, although she protested, even with tears, her total disbelief in all the answers she received.  It was a small act of heroism on her part to keep all that she there learnt a secret from her sister Sally, as she did for four or five days; till Miss Browning attacked her one evening with the following speech,—­

’Phoebe! either you’ve some reason for puffing yourself out with sighs, or you’ve not.  If you have a reason, it’s your duty to tell it me directly; and if you’ve no reason, you must break yourself of a bad habit that is growing upon you.’

’Oh, sister! do you think it is really my duty to tell you?  It would be such a comfort; but then I thought I ought not; it will distress you so.’

’Nonsense.  I am so well prepared for misfortune by the frequent contemplation of its possibility that I believe I can receive any ill news with apparent equanimity and real resignation.  Besides, when you said yesterday at breakfast-time that you meant to give up the day to making your drawers tidy, I was aware that some misfortune was impending, though of course I could not judge of its magnitude.  Is the Highchester Bank broken?’

‘Oh no, sister!’ said Miss Phoebe, moving to a seat close to her sister’s on the sofa.  ’Have you really been thinking that!  I wish I had told you what I heard at the very first, if you’ve been fancying that!’

’Take warning, Phoebe, and learn to have no concealments from me.  I did think we must be ruined, from your ways of going on; eating no meat at dinner, and sighing continually.  And now what is it?’

‘I hardly know how to tell you, Sally.  I really don’t.’

Miss Phoebe began to cry; Miss Browning took hold of her arm, and gave her a little sharp shake.

’Cry as much as you like when you’ve told me; but don’t cry now, child, when you’re keeping me on the tenterhooks.’

‘Molly Gibson has lost her character, sister.  That’s it.’

‘Molly Gibson has done no such thing!’ said Miss Browning indignantly.  ’How dare you repeat such stories about poor Mary’s child!  Never let me hear you say such things again!’

’I can’t help it.  Mrs. Dawes told me; and she says it’s all over the town.  I told her I did not believe a word of it.  And I kept it from you; and I think I should have been really ill if I’d kept it to myself any longer.  Oh, sister! what are you going to do?’

For Miss Browning had risen without speaking a word, and was leaving the room in a stately and determined fashion.

’I am going to put on my bonnet and things, and then I shall call upon Mrs. Dawes, and confront her with her lies.’