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Flora hesitated for a short time, and then said–

“It was Araminta Thomas who told me.”

“Thank you for this information. Will you now go with me to see Araminta?”

“I would rather not,” Flora returned.

“I think it would be better for you to do so, Flora,” urged Ellen. But she could not be persuaded.

“I must then go alone,” said Ellen, rising and bidding Flora good morning.

In a little while she was at the house of Araminta Thomas. Ellen entered at once upon the business of her visit, by stating what she had heard. Araminta looked confused, but denied saying that Ellen had actually told Evelyn she was engaged for the next cotillion.

“Then what did you say?” mildly asked Ellen.

“I said,” replied Araminta, “that I saw you decline Evelyn’s offer for your hand.”

“But did not say that I told him I was engaged?”

“Not positively; I only inferred, as was natural, that you declined on that ground.”

“Was your communication to Flora mere inferential?”

“It was.”

“But she says you told her that you heard me say I was engaged.”

“In that she is mistaken. I inferred that your refusal to dance was for the reason stated. But I did not know that it was, and, therefore only gave my own impression.”

“Which Flora has taken for the truth, and so repeated.”

“On my authority?”

“Yes. After having been pressed by me very closely.”

“In that she was wrong. But I suppose I was as wrong in giving an impression which might not be a true one, as she has been in giving my impressions as actual facts, and making me responsible for them. But will you, as matters have taken this serious and unexpected turn, give me the exact truth. I will then, so far as in my power lies, endeavour to correct what I have done.”

“Most cheerfully. You know as well as I do, that Evelyn has not acted in some things with that honour and integrity that becomes a gentleman?”

“I do.”

“It was on this ground that I declined. He asked me if I was engaged in the next set? I said no. He then proffered his hand, which I declined. In a little while after, and while sitting beside you, a gentleman wished to have me as a partner. I accepted his invitation. This is the simple truth.”

“And so it seems,” said Araminta with a sober face, “that while you were rebuking vice, and standing up with dignified, virtuous firmness in the cause of our sex, I was misjudging you. And not only that, was so far influenced by an improper spirit as to impart to others my wrong impressions to your injury. Alas! poor, weak human nature! I feel rebuked and humbled. More for what I thought than for what I said, for out of the heart proceedeth evil thoughts. If I had not had something wrong here, I would not have been so ready to misjudge you. But all that I can do to repair the wrong, I am ready to do.”

“All I ask is, that you correct Flora, and take some little care, that, where she has imparted a wrong impression, the true one is given in its place.”

“That I will do with all my heart,” Araminta replied. “I will see Flora this very hour.”

“Do so, and you shall have not only my thanks, but my esteem and love. We are all liable to do wrong. But to confess and repair the wrong we have done, as far as we can, is noble. In so doing, power is given us to conquer in all the temptations that may assail us.”

As soon as Ellen had retired, Araminta went out and called upon Flora. She found her troubled and mortified at the turn matters had taken. She tried to excuse herself for what she had done, and insisted, at first, that Araminta had actually stated all she had said of Ellen Gray’s conduct. But this point she soon had to give up. Araminta was too positive, and her own memory a little too clear on the subject. In fact, when the whole truth came fully to the light, it was very apparent, that if there were any falsehood in the matter, she was the most guilty. Certain it was, that Ellen Gray was innocent, in every particular, of the charge that had been made against her.