As for Christian "--simple as she was,
Aunt Maria had not lived fifty years in the world, and twenty with Miss
Gascoigne, without some small acuteness--"I can see, of course, how
very bad it would have been for poor Christian to have any
acquaintance among young gownsmen, and especially with a person
like Sir Edwin Uniacke."
"He is no worse than his neighbors, and I beg you will make no
remarks upon him," said Miss Gascoigne, with dignity. "As to Mrs.
Grey--"
"Perhaps," again suggested Aunt Maria, appealingly, "perhaps it isn't
true. People do say such untrue things. Mrs. Brereton may have
imagined it all."
"It was no imagination. Haven't I told you that Miss Bennett gave the
whole story, with full particulars, exactly as she had learned it lately
from the servant at the farm where Mr. Oakley and his daughter once
lodged and where Mr. Uniacke used to come regularly? Not one day
did he miss during a whole month. Now, Maria, I should be sorry to
think ill of her for your brother's sake but you must allow, when a
young person in her station receives constant visits from young
gentlemen--gentlemen so much above her as Sir Edwin is--it looks very
like--"
"Oh, Henrietta," cried Miss Grey, the womanly feeling within her
forcing its way, even through her placid non-resistance, "do stop! you
surely don't consider what you are saying?"
"I am not in the habit of speaking without consideration, and I am, I
assure you, perfectly aware of what I am saying.
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