Carson." She blushed for shame at the remembrance of her folly, and
hid her head on his shoulder while he made answer.
"Darling, I'm almost loth to tell you; your aunt Esther told me."
"Ah, I remember! but how did she know? I was so put about that
night I did not think of asking her. Where did you see her? I've
forgotten where she lives."
Mary said all this in so open and innocent a manner, that Jem felt
sure she knew not the truth respecting Esther, and he half hesitated
to tell her. At length he replied--
"Where did you see Esther lately? When? Tell me, love, for you've
never named it before, and I can't make it out."
"Oh! it was that horrible night, which is like a dream." And she
told him of Esther's midnight visit, concluding with, "We must go
and see her before we leave, though I don't rightly know where to
find her."
"Dearest Mary"--
"What, Jem?" exclaimed she, alarmed by his hesitation.
"Your poor aunt Esther has no home:--she's one of them miserable
creatures that walk the streets." And he in his turn told of his
encounter with Esther, with so many details that Mary was forced to
be convinced, although her heart rebelled against the belief.
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