BE TRUE. 47

no better, and they determined to
show their contempt by a dignified
silence. In appearance they would
care nothing about it; but appear-
ance and the heart had been too long
at variance to unite here. It cannot
be denied that, at heart, they were
deeply mortified and chagrined, nor
can it be supposed that Laura, whom
they looked upon as the sole cause,
could escape their resentment.

The little girl found her home fast
becoming anything but desirable.
Mr. Wingate had become moody and
taciturn; he seemed never at home
excepting in his store, and there he
spent the greater part of his time.

The little room belonging to Laura,
and which, in the general alterations,
had remained untouched, was now
her chosen place of resort. From its