"You had better show him in then, without
more words," said her ladyship, quietly,
but still, as I have said, rather annoyed.

As if in mockery of the humble visitor, the
footman threw open both battants of the
door, and in the opening there stood a lithe,
wiry lad, with a thick head of hair, standing
out in every direction, as if stirred by some
electrical current, a short, brown face, red
now from affright and excitement, wide,
resolute mouth, and bright, deep-set eyes; which
glanced keenly and rapidly round the room,
as if taking in everything (and all was new
and strange) to be thought and puzzled
over at some future time. He knew enough
of manners not to speak first to one above
him in rank, or else he was afraid.

"What do you want with me?" asked my
lady; in so gentle a tone that it seemed to
surprise and stun him.

"An't please your ladyship? " said he, as
if he had been deaf.

"You come from Mr. Horner's: why do
you want to see me?" again asked she, a
little more loudly.

"An't please your ladyship, Mr. Horner
was sent for all on a sudden to Warwick this
morning!"

His face began to work; but he felt it,
and closed his lips into a resolute form.

"Well?"

"And he went off all on a sudden-like."

"Well?"

"And he left a note for your ladyship with,
me, your ladyship."

"Is that all? You might have given it to
the footman."

"Please your ladyship, I've clean gone and
lost it."

He never took his eyes off her face. If he
had not kept his look fixed, he would have
burst out crying.

"That was very careless," said my lady,
gently. "But I am sure you are very sorry
for it. You had better try and find it. It
may have been of consequence."

"Please, Mum—please your ladyship—I
can say it off by heart."

"You! What do you mean?" I was
really afraid now. My lady's blue eyes
absolutely gave out light, she was so much
displeased, and, moreover perplexed. The more
reason the lad had for affright, the more his
courage rose. He must have seen, so sharp
a lad must have perceived her displeasure,
but he went on quickly and steadily.

"Mr. Horner, my lady, has taught me to
read, write, and cast accounts, my lady.
And he was in a hurry, and he folded his
paper up, but he did not seal it; and I read
it, my lady; and now, my lady, it seems like
as if I had got it off by heart;" and he went
on with a high pitched voice, saying out very
loud what I have no doubt were the
identical words of the letter, date, signature, and
all: it was merely something about a deed,
which required my lady's signature.

When he had done, he stood almost as if
he expected commendation for his accurate
memory.

My lady's eyes contracted till the pupils
were as needle-points; it was a way she had
when much disturbed. She looked at me,
and said,

"Margaret Dawson, what will this world
come to?" And then she was silent.

The lad stood stock still, beginning to
perceive he had given deep offence; but as if
his brave will had brought him into this
presence, and impelled him to confession, and
the best amends he could make, but had
now deserted him, or was extinct, and left
his body motionless, until some one else with
word or deed made him quit the room. My
lady looked again at him. and saw the frowning,
dumfoundering terror at his misdeed,
and the manner in which his confession had
been received.

"My poor lad! " said she, the angry look
leaving her face, "into whose hands have you
fallen?"

The boy's lips began to quiver.

"Don't you know what tree we read of in
Genesis?—No. I hope you have not got to
read so easily as that." A pause. "Who
has taught you to read and write?"

"Please, my lady, I meant no harm, my
lady." He was fairly blubbering, overcome
by her evident feeling of dismay and regret,
the soft repression of which was more
frightening to him than any strong or violent
words could have been.

"Who taught you, I ask?"

"It were Mr. Horner's clerk who learned
me, my lady."

"And did Mr. Horner know of it?"

"Yes, my lady. And I am sure I thought
for to please him."

"Well! perhaps you were not to blame
for that. But I wonder at Mr. Horner.
However, my boy, as you have got possession
of edge-tools, you must have some rules how
to use them. Did you never hear that you
were not to open letters?"

"Please, my lady, it were open. Mr.
Horner forgot for to seal it, in his hurry to
be off."

"But you must not read letters that are
not intended for you. You must never try
to read any letters that are not directed to
you, even if they be open before you."

"Please, my lady, I thought it were good
for practice, all as one as a book."

My lady looked bewildered as to what way
she could farther explain to him the laws of
honour as regarded letters.

"You would not listen, I am sure," said
she, "to anything you were not intended to
hear?"

He hesitated for a moment, partly because
he did not fully comprehend the question.
My lady repeated it. The light of intelligence
came into his eager eyes, and I could see that
he was not certain if he could tell the truth.