I can understand that she has innocently misled
you; and that she has presented herself, perhaps, under her least
favorable aspect. But that the clew to her language and her conduct on
Wednesday last is to be found in such a feeling toward the man who has
ruined us, as the feeling at which you hinted, is what I can not and
will not believe of my sister. If you knew, as I do, what a noble nature
she has, you would not be surprised at this obstinate resistance of mine
to your opinion. Will you try to alter it? I don't mind what Mr. Clare
says; he believes in nothing. But I attach a very serious importance to
what _you_ say; and, kind as I know your motives to be, it distresses me
to think you are doing Magdalen an injustice.
"Having relieved my mind of this confession, I may now come to the
proper object of my letter. I promised, if you could not find leisure
time to visit us to-day, to write and tell you all that happened after
you left us. The day has passed without our seeing you. So I open my
writing-case and perform my promise.
"I am sorry to say that three of the women-servants--the house-maid, the
kitchen-maid, and even our own maid (to whom I am sure we have always
been kind)--took advantage of your having paid them their wages to pack
up and go as soon as your back was turned.
Pages:
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284