grave offence in any one," she said, quickly.
"We all ought to do exactly what we are
told by those whom chance has placed in
authority over us. Only when there is
injustice and tyranny, it is not so easy always
to bow down one's head to the yoke."

John paused, and then quietly replied,
after some effort:

"I don't know about injustice and
tyranny, Miss Pomeroy, but the whole condition
of servitude seems to me to consist
in doing what you are told. It is not chance,
but free will that elects that condition, and
the servant who takes wages without obeying
his master is guilty of a fraud—is not
strictly honest."

"Then you will not give Mary a
certificate—such a one as I want her to have,
Mr. Miles? I can only say your school
produces miracles of probity if it turns out
many such girls, and I—am disappointed."

He saw that she was annoyed, and it
distressed him. She was about to pass on,
but he stopped her.

"One instant: pardon me, Miss Pomeroy;
you misunderstood me. I shall be too glad,
as clergyman of this parish, to give Mary
Hind an excellent certificate, having known
her, first in school, and then in service, for
the last four years, and having always had a
high opinion of her. Of the fault which has
caused her discharge I only know by hearsay,
and therefore can say nothing; moreover,
it is not in my province, but in that
of her employers, to state the cause of her
leaving them. It was only," he added,
colouring again, and with some hesitation,
"because I thought in defending your
protegée you were not quite just to Sir
Andrew, that I said what I did."

"I do him full justice," she replied, with
a bitter smile. "After I had exhausted
my eloquence in trying to induce him to
forgive Mary's first misdemeanour—first,
remember, in three whole years—Sir
Andrew reminded me that she was not my
servant, but his, that he paid her wages
and her board, which argument was, of
course, unanswerable. I should only
rejoice that he should not be at the expense
of another maid for me. I preferred
henceforward doing without one. Mamma has
been for the last month trying to make me
give in, but I won't."

"Do you think there is any merit in
that?" asked John, in a low voice.

"I don't know about merit, but I know
I was attached to Mary; and I'd rather be
independent than have a woman I don't
like about me, or, if I should like her, to be
subject to her being sent off by Sir
Andrew. Do you know that he has now
forbidden my poor old Oscar to come into
the house because his paws were dirty the
other day? It seems to be enough that I
should be fond of any creature for it to
be banished."

It wrung John's heart to hear her speak
thus, but he had to give utterance to other
words than those his inmost soul was crying
out.

"You must remember that Sir Andrew
is not fond of dogs——"

"Nor men either."

"And one ought to try and put one's self,
not only in the position, but in the mind,
temper, and education of those we judge,
Miss Pomeroy."

"What, into their worldliness and
narrow-mindedness? It's no use, Mr. Miles,
it's no use. I know all you would say, and
I suppose you are right, only I can't see
things as I ought. I am one of the stiff-
necked. Good-bye. I am ashamed to have
kept you standing here so long. Send me
that certificate for Mary, will you?"

She held out her hand, and he took it in
silence. Then they went their several ways.

The certificate was sent to Miss Pomeroy,
who put it by in her desk until she could
hear of a situation for her discharged maid.

    Early in June will be published, price 5s. 6d., bound in
                                    green cloth,
                            THE THIRD VOLUME
                        OF THE NEW SERIES OF
                          ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
                       To be had of all Booksellers.

                     MR. DICKENS'S NEW WORK
             Just Published, PRICE ONE SHILLING,
                            PART THREE OF
            THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD.
                       BY CHARLES DICKENS.
           WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY S. L. FILDES.
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     uniform with the Original Editions of "PICKWICK"
      and "COPPERFIELD."
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