'Suppose the baby was to die,' said Lily.

'Oh, it will not die,' said Jane, 'a great fat healthy thing like
that likely to die indeed!'

'I cannot make you out, Jane,' said Lily. 'If I had done such a
thing, I do not think I could have a happy minute till it was set
right.'

'Well, I told you I was very sorry,' said Jane, 'only I wish they
would not all be so hard upon me. Robert owns that he should not
have said such things if he did not wish them to be repeated.'

'Does he?' cried Lily. 'How exactly like Robert that is, to own
himself in fault when he is obliged to blame others. Jane, how could
you hear him say such things and not be overcome with shame? And
then to turn it against him! Oh, Jane, I do not think I can talk to
you any more.'

'I do not mean to say it was not very good of him,' said Jane.

'Good of him--what a word!' cried Lily. 'Well, good-night, I cannot
bear to talk to you now. Shall I say anything for you downstairs?'

'Oh, tell papa and Robert I am very sorry,' said Jane. 'I shall not
come down again, you may leave the lamp.'

On her way downstairs in the dark Lilias was led, by the example of
her cousin, to reflect that she was not without some share in the