"
"Come here and sit down by me again," said Magdalen. "Come--or I will
get up myself and bring you back."
Louisa slowly returned to her place. Dim as the fire-light was, she
seemed to fear it. She held her handkerchief over her face, and shrank
from her mistress as she seated herself again in the chair.
"You are wrong in thinking that any one has betrayed you to me," said
Magdalen. "All that I know of you is, what your own looks and ways have
told me. You have had some secret trouble weighing on your mind ever
since you have been in my service. I confess I have spoken with the
wish to find out more of you and your past life than I have found out
yet--not because I am curious, but because I have my secret troubles
too. Are you an unhappy woman, like me? If you are, I will take you into
my confidence. If you have nothing to tell me--if you choose to keep
your secret--I don't blame you; I only say, Let us part. I won't ask how
you have deceived me. I will only remember that you have been an honest
and faithful and competent servant while I have employed you; and I will
say as much in your favor to any new mistress you like to send to me."
She waited for the reply.
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