It was a manifestation of
pure compassion, of compassion in itself, so to speak, not many women
would have been capable of displaying with that unflinching steadiness.
The shivering fit over, the girl's next words in an outburst of sobs
were, "Oh! Mrs. Fyne, am I really such a horrid thing as she has made me
out to be?"
"No, no!" protested Mrs. Fyne. "It is your former governess who is
horrid and odious. She is a vile woman. I cannot tell you that she was
mad but I think she must have been beside herself with rage and full of
evil thoughts. You must try not to think of these abominations, my dear
child."
They were not fit for anyone to think of much, Mrs. Fyne commented to me
in a curt positive tone. All that had been very trying. The girl was
like a creature struggling under a net.
"But how can I forget? she called my father a cheat and a swindler! Do
tell me Mrs. Fyne that it isn't true. It can't be true. How can it be
true?"
She sat up in bed with a sudden wild motion as if to jump out and flee
away from the sound of the words which had just passed her own lips.
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