She was an extremely beautiful girl, about fifteen years of age, with one of the handsomest and most elegantly shaped figures I had ever seen. For some reason, for which I could not well account, my aunt seemed to have taken a dislike to her, and was continually finding fault with her. It is true that Maria gave her considerable cause for dissatisfaction, for she was idle and lazy, constantly getting into mischief and doing something or other which she knew quite well would displease my aunt. Lady Lovesport had very often threatened to whip her unless she behaved herself better. Maria seemed to pay no attention to what she said, but I, who knew my aunt better, had little doubt she would carry her threat into execution.

One forenoon we were sitting together at our work. My aunt had that morning been very much displeased with Maria for some mischief she had committed, and told her that before she went out she intended to punish her with a sound flogging. I was seated with my face to the window which commanded a view of the avenue, and I saw Mr. Everard, the young gentleman to whom I have already alluded, coming towards the house. I was a little surprised that no announcement was made to us of his arrival. In a short time, however, my aunt's confidential servant came into the room, and whispered a few words in her ear. Soon afterwards my aunt rose up, and giving me some work to do, which would occupy me some time, she told me to make myself ready to accompany her on a visit she was going to make in an hour afterwards. She then desired Maria to follow her to her apartment.

I was very certain that my aunt's purpose was to punish the girl, and I could not help somehow connecting this punishment with the arrival of Mr. Everard. I felt a strong desire to ascertain whether I was right in this conjecture. The idea took such a strong hold upon my mind that I determined to be a spectatress of the punishment, and, knowing