"Now, I ask you, young ladies, what is your opinion of the traveller, who, by her manner, led her companions to believe her the author?"
"It was mean!" "I should die of shame!" "She was guilty of a wicked lie!" exclaimed one and another from different parts of the school.
"And is not that young lady equally guilty who appropriates the words and thoughts of another, and claims them as her own?"
"She is. I'm glad I didn't do it," "And I'm glad," was the echoed response.
"Young ladies," said the preceptress, "before you are dismissed, I have only to add the inspired words, 'These six things doth the Lord hate, yea seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief; a false witness that speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.'"
For the next fortnight, there was great curiosity among the scholars to know who was the guilty individual referred to; but as Miss Salsbury maintained the most profound silence on the subject, nothing certain could be learned. Several times when the topic was mentioned in the presence of Alice, a contemptuous curl of the lips was her only answer. By this time, however, her sentiments on ethics were pretty well-known, and shrewd conjectures began to be whispered about as to the author of the plagiarism.
Alice found the moral atmosphere of Miss Salsbury's establishment so entirely uncongenial that she would, long ere this, have resorted to some method of leaving, had it not been for private plans which could not be carried out if she were removed to another school.
She had so far conducted herself with the strictest regard to propriety while in her own room, and Miss Farley, her room-mate, though often questioned by her aunt, answered most favorably of the new scholar. But there were methods by which she disobeyed the rules and evaded the laws which her teachers dreamed not of. Neither did they imagine what an influence for evil this heartless, deceitful girl was constantly exercising over one of her young companions.
Ella Morris was a girl of only thirteen years, warm and ardent in temperament, of generous noble impulses, but easily influenced by those she loved. When Alice first entered the school, Ella regarded her with admiration. Miss Saunders's beauty and style were her constant theme out of study hours. The least notice from the handsome stranger was reported to her companions with emotions of pride and pleasure.
Ella had a brother in Dr. Bowles's school who called upon her soon after Alice's first appearance at church. Ned Morris told his sisters to invite Miss Saunders to the parlor, as he wished to be introduced to her. He was a tall youth of eighteen years, with small, effeminate features, going among his companions by the name of "Our Dandy." He was good-natured to a proverb, with a weak mind, but entirely moral in his character. He had been dazzled by Alice's beauty, and now was just shallow enough to imagine her as intelligent as she was lovely in person. Even during that first interview, he had to put a constant constraint on himself to keep from betraying his warm admiration.