opportunity--pray try, sir, to make peace among them. You heard what
went on at supper-time; and you were disgusted with it. Oh yes, you
were! I saw you frown to yourself; and I know what _that_ means in you
Englishmen."

There was no choice but to speak one's mind plainly to Naomi. I
acknowledged the impression which had been produced on me at
supper-time just as plainly as I have acknowledged it in these pages.
Naomi nodded her head in undisguised approval of my candor.

"That will do, that's speaking out," she said. "But--oh my! you put it
a deal too mildly, sir, when you say the men don't seem to be on
friendly terms together here. They hate each other. That's the word,
Mr. Lefrank--hate; bitter, bitter, bitter hate!" She clinched her
little fists; she shook them vehemently, by way of adding emphasis to
her last words; and then she suddenly remembered Ambrose. "Except
Ambrose," she added, opening her hand again, and laying it very
earnestly on my arm. "Don't go and misjudge Ambrose, sir. There is no
harm in poor Ambrose."

The girl's innocent frankness was really irresistible.

"Should I be altogether wrong," I asked, "if I guessed that you were a
little partial to Ambrose?"

An Englishwoman would have felt, or would at least have assumed, some
little hesitation at replying to my question. Naomi did not hesitate
for an instant.

"You are quite right, sir," she said with the most perfect composure.