She was not
convinced, but she was softened and bewildered.
CHAPTER XII
LOSING SIGHT OF THE WELSH MOUNTAINS
Miss Benson continued in an undecided state of mind for the two
next days; but on the third, as they sat at breakfast, she began
to speak to her brother.
"That young creature's name is Ruth Hilton."
"Indeed! how did you find it out?"
"From herself, of course. She is much stronger. I slept with her
last night, and I was aware she was awake long before I liked to
speak, but at last I began. I don't know what I said, or how it
went on, but I think it was a little relief to her to tell me
something about herself. She sobbed and cried herself to sleep; I
think she is asleep now.
"Tell me what she said about herself."
"Oh, it was really very little; it was evidently a most painful
subject. She is an orphan, without brother or sister, and with a
guardian, whom, I think she said, she never saw but once. He
apprenticed her (after her father's death) to a dressmaker. This
Mr. Bellingham got acquainted with her, and they used to meet on
Sunday afternoons. One day they were late, lingering on the road,
when the dressmaker came up by accident. She seems to have been
very angry, and not unnaturally so. The girl took fright at her
threats, and the lover persuaded her to go off with him to
London, there and then. Last May, I think it was. That's all."
"Did she express any sorrow for her error?"
"No, not in words; but her voice was broken with sobs, though she
tried to make it steady.
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