You must perceive, Mrs. Grey, what conclusions
people will draw--indeed, can not help drawing. Not that I believe--I
assure you I don't--one word against you. Only confide in me, and I
will make the matter clear to all Avonsbridge. You hear me?"
"Yes"
"And now, my dear"--the energy of her protection making Aunt
Henrietta actually affectionate--"do speak out. Tell me all you have to
say for yourself."
"Nothing."
"Nothing? What do you mean?"
It may seem an odd thing to assert, and a more difficult thing still to
prove, but Miss Gascoigne was not at heart a bad woman. She had a
fierce temper and an enormous egotism, yet these two qualities, in the
strangely composite characters that one meets with in life, are not
incompatible with many good qualities.
Pain, most sincere and undisguised, not unmingled with actual pity,
was visible in Miss Gascoigne's countenance as she looked on the
young creature before her, to whom her words had caused such violent
emotion. For this emotion her narrow nature--always so ready to look
on human nature in its worst side, and to suspect wherever suspicion
could alight--found but one interpretation--guilt.
She drew back, terrified at what her interference had done. What if the
story should prove to be, not mere idle gossip, but actual scandal--the
sort of scandal which would cast a slur forever on the whole Grey
family, herself included?
There, above all, the fear struck home.
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