She stood aghast at the picture, her own self-painted picture, of the kind
brother-in-law, of whom in her heart she was really fond, married to a
false, wicked woman, more than twenty years his junior, who mocked
at his age and peculiarities, and flirted behind his back with any body
and every body. To do Aunt Henrietta justice, however, of more than
flirtation she did not suspect--no person with common sense and
ordinary observation could suspect--Christian Grey.
"I must speak to her myself, poor thing! I must open her eyes to the
danger she is running. Only consider, Maria, if that story did go about
Avonsbridge, she would never be thought well of in society again. I
must speak to her. If she will only confide in me implicitly, so that I
can take her part, and assure every body I meet that, however bad
appearances may be as regards this unlucky story, there is really no-
thing in it--nothing at all--don't you see, Maria?"
Alas! Maria had been so long accustomed to look at every thing
through the vision of dear Henrietta, that she had no clear sight of her
own whatever. She only found courage to say, in a feeble way,
"Take care, oh, do take care! I know you are much cleverer than I am,
and can manage things far better; but oh please take care?"
And when, some hours after, Dr.
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