guilt did not leave her quite at ease.

"I cannot read the heart," said Aunt Lucy, composedly. "I can only say,
that, pauper as I am, I would not exchange places with the one who has
done this deed."

"Do you mean me?" demanded Mrs. Mudge.

"You can tell best."

"I tell you what, Aunt Lucy Lee," said Mrs. Mudge, her eyes blazing
with anger, "If you dare insinuate to any living soul that I stole your
paltry money, which I don't believe you ever had, I will be bitterly
revenged upon you."

She flaunted out of the room, and Aunt Lucy, the first bitterness of her
disappointment over, retired to bed, and slept more tranquilly than the
unscrupulous woman who had robbed her.

At a quarter before four Paul started from his humble couch, and hastily
dressed himself, took up a little bundle containing all his scanty stock
of clothing, and noiselessly descended the two flights of stairs which
separated him from the lower story. Here he paused a moment for Aunt
Lucy to appear. Her sharp ears had distinguished his stealthy steps as
he passed her door, and she came down to bid him good-by. She had in her
hands a pair of stockings which she slipped into his bundle.

"I wish I had something else to give you, Paul," she said, "but you know
that I am not very rich."