I had not been engaged
to him many days before I found that there was something which I should
not be able to hide much longer.
"You know, my dear, that my mother had been long dead, and I never had a
sister or any near kinswoman. At my wits' end who I should consult,
instinct drew me to Mrs. Humdrum, then a woman of about five-and-forty.
She was a grand lady, while I was about the rank of one of my own
housemaids. I had no claim on her; I went to her as a lost dog looks
into the faces of people on a road, and singles out the one who will most
surely help him. I had had a good look at her once as she was putting on
her gloves, and I liked the way she did it. I marvel at my own boldness.
At any rate, I asked to see her, and told her my story exactly as I have
now told it to you.
"'You have no mother?' she said, when she had heard all.
"'No.'
"'Then, my dear, I will mother you myself. Higgs is out of the question,
so Strong must marry you at once. We will tell him everything, and I, on
your behalf, will insist upon it that the engagement is at an end. I
hear good reports of him, and if we are fair towards him he will be
generous towards us. Besides, I believe he is so much in love with you
that he would sell his soul to get you. Send him to me. I can deal with
him better than you can.
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