This paper examines the possibility of female bonding between two women of different classes in Elizabeth Stuart Phelps`s The Silent Partner. Perley Kelso is a ``leisure class`` woman ensconced in the private sphere, who changes into an active reformer in the public sphere. Her change is fueled by two incidents: the inheritance of a mill partnership upon bet father`s sudden death and an encounter with Sip Garth, a mill girl. Faced with the conditions banning women from taking part in factory management, Kelso decides to adopt an active role in managing the mill. She is also motivated to reform the excruciating factory conditions of the laborers. Meanwhile, Garth, who has been saturated with the idea that she cannot overcome her conditions as a mill girl, decides to embark upon the useful life of a street preacher who spreads soothing words to the laboring classes. The novel espouses a complete reversal of the traditional ending usually reserved for women. Kelso rejects two marriage proposals to continue her work, and Garth too refuses to enter into marriage to avoid bequeathing her status of mill laborer to her children. The relationship of Kelso and Garth reflects the discourse of female bonding that is an important aspect of women`s life in nineteenth century America. However, as members of different classes, their bonding develops into a respect for each other`s work based on a wary acknowledgment of their differences.