Her words were fervently echoed in Ruth's heart. She was on the point of confessing her own secret to the little girl, but a moment's reflection made her hesitate. No, she too must tell all to Lady Melicent herself, and it must be for her to judge if Flossie should be told.
'And if my lady thinks me not fit to be trusted any more, and I have to go home in disgrace, I must just bear it. It's my own fault,' thought Ruth.
It was a tearful but a happy little girl who came trotting up to be undressed and put to bed at the Tower House that evening.
'Granny has been so kind,' she said, 'and I am so glad I've told her. It was dreadful to have it on my mind, Ruth dear. And granny has been telling me how good you were about the basin, and I said to her it was you that said I must tell. And do you know, she did know I'd broken it, only she waited for me to tell myself. It's never been mended, but now she's going to send it to be done.'
Ruth sympathised in Flossie's joy, and the child was too happy to notice the girl's sadness. All Florentia said only made her own confession the more difficult.
'There is no real need for it,' said the tempter. 'No one can be blamed now. Indeed, it was not you who broke it after all.'
But Ruth had a conscience.
Late that evening there came a timid knock at my lady's door, and in answer to her 'come in,' a pale and trembling girl appeared.
'Ruth!' exclaimed the old lady in surprise. 'Is there anything wrong?'