96 THE FAIR COURIER.

 

“Certainly; though I should be better
pleased to see one of my sex engaged in a
more honourable employment.”

“Be silent,” exclaimed the woman an-
grily, as she stamped her foot upon the
floor. She then commenced searching the
young girl’s person, during which operation
Emily could not resist the temptation she
felt to let a cutting word fall now and then
from her ready tongue; which was hardly
prudent for one in her situation.

The search, of course, elicited nothing
that could fix upon her the suspicion of
being a messenger from the rebel army.

“ Are you satisfied?” inquired Emily, as
she re-arranged her dress after the ordeal
had been passed. She spoke with the con-
tempt she felt. The woman made no re-
ply; but went out in silence, taking with
her the light she had brought into the
room, and leaving Emily alone and in dark-
ness. . For nearly half an hour, the latter
sat awaiting her return; but during that
period no one approached her room, nor