You ought to know that your mistress has told me why she parted with you.

It was her duty to tell me the truth, and it is my duty not to be unjustly prejudiced against you after what I have heard.

Pray believe me when I say that I don't know, and don't wish to know, what your temptation may have been--" "I beg your pardon, Miss, for interrupting you.

My temptation was vanity." Whether she did or did not suffer in making that confession, it was impossible to discover.

Her tones were quiet; her manner was unobtrusively respectful; the pallor of her face was not disturbed by the slightest change of colour.