"Oh, no, ma'am! Don't say that!" cried the girl, surprised into a sudden confession, "I've not been faithful to you as I should; I've taken little things; I've had a guest at my meals, but I mean never to do so more; I hope that you will forgive me!"
"Norah, I thank God for you!" said the old lady, tears rising into her eyes as she spoke.
How warm went her words to the heart of Norah, no praise could have been so sweet!
Norah had unwittingly removed a weight from the mind of her gentle mistress. Mrs. Martin had had painful suspicions, which she had vainly tried to put away, as to the strict honesty of her young maid. She had often asked herself whether it might not be her duty to speak seriously to Norah on the subject, but had put off doing so from day to day, partly because the duty was painful to her tender sensitive spirit, partly because she tried to persuade herself that her dim sight and failing memory might have led her into error, and she would not distress her maid till she had clearer proof of her guilt.
Norah's honesty about the money had for the moment entirely swept away all her lady's suspicions, and caused her to utter what a little consideration might have made her retract; but Norah's frank confession entirely relieved Mrs. Martin's mind. That confession showed regret for the past, which was in itself an earnest of a future life of fidelity and truth. The lady felt that henceforth Norah would be more to her than a servant, one who would be her comfort, one whom she could trust, whom she could love.
Nothing more, however, was said by either mistress or maid on the subject. After a brief silence, Mrs. Martin recurred to that of the money.
"Norah, you know that I expect my brother, Mr. Lowndes, to breakfast here to-day," she observed. "We will give the bag over to him. He is a magistrate, as you are aware, and will be the best person to advise us how to find out the real owner."
As the lady spoke, the well-known sound of her brother's double-rap at the knocker announced his arrival.
Norah, light of foot, and light of heart, ran to the door to answer the summons, and Mr. Lowndes, a tall portly man, soon made his appearance in the room.