Do pray remember--even if I am wrong--what a solitary position mine is, in Mrs.Gallilee's house! I can play with dear little Zo; but whom can I talk to, whom can I confide in, if it turns out that Miss Minerva has been deceiving me?
"When I wrote to you, I refused to acknowledge that any such dreadful discovery as this could be possible; I resented the bare idea of it as a cruel insult to my friend.

Since that time--my face burns with shame while I write it--I am a little, just a little, shaken in my own opinion.
"Shall I tell you how it began?
Yes; I will.
"My good old friend, you have your prejudices.

But you speak your mind truly--and whom else can I consult?
Not Ovid! The one effort of my life is to prevent him from feeling anxious about me.

And, besides, I have contended against his opinion of Miss Minerva, and have brought him to think of her more kindly.

Has he been right, notwithstanding?
and are you right?
And am I alone wrong?
You shall judge for yourself.
"Miss Minerva began to change towards me, after I had done the thing of all others which ought to have brought us closer together than ever.
She is very poorly paid by my aunt, and she has been worried by little debts.