Bessie's heart beat fast, and for a moment her eyes fell, as though she herself had been the guilty one.
One or two more answered, with truth, that they knew nothing of the matter, and then,—
"Fanny Berry?" said Mrs. Ashton.
"No, ma'am," answered Fanny, but not as boldly as Mary had done; for she was not used to open falsehood, and it did not come readily to her. Mrs. Ashton looked steadily at her for a moment; then passed on to the next.
"Kate Maynard?"
To the astonishment of all, to the anger of some, and to the relief and delight of one little heart, Kate rose slowly, and answered, "Yes, ma'am."
"You know who did it?"
"I did it myself, madam."
Mrs. Ashton looked grieved, as well as surprised.
"You, Kate? and yet you kept silence when I asked for confession?"