I
should hardly say I knew her myself; for I only saw her two or
three times at my sister's house; but she was so remarked for her
beauty, that I remember her face quite well--the more so, on
account of her vicious conduct afterwards."
"Her vicious conduct!" repeated Jemima, convinced by these words
that there could be no identity between Ruth and "young person"
alluded to. "Then it could not have been our Mrs. Denbigh."
"Oh no, ma'am! I am sure I should be sorry to be understood to
have suggested anything of the kind. I beg your pardon if I did
so. All I meant to say--and perhaps that was a liberty I ought
not to have taken, considering what Ruth Hilton was----"
"Ruth Hilton!" said Jemima, turning suddenly round, and facing
Mrs. Pearson.
"Yes, ma'am, that was the name of the young person I allude to."
"Tell me about her--what did she do?" asked Jemima, subduing her
eagerness of tone and look as best she might, but trembling as on
the verge of some strange discovery.
"I don't know whether I ought to tell you, ma'am--it is hardly a
fit story for a young lady; but this Ruth Hilton was an
apprentice to my sister-in-law, who had a first-rate business in
Fordham, which brought her a good deal of patronage from the
county families; and this young creature was very artful and
bold, and thought sadly too much of her beauty; and, somehow, she
beguiled a young gentleman, who took her into keeping (I am sure,
ma'am, I ought to apologise for polluting your ears)----"
"Go on," said Jemima breathlessly.
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