H. Woodbourne, our
respected Vicar.'
'I shall certainly contradict it,' continued Mr. Woodbourne, while
Elizabeth was becoming sensible of the contents of the paragraph; 'I
did not care what Higgins chose to any of my principles, but this is
a plain fact, which may be believed if it is not contradicted.'
'O Mamma, have not you told him?' said Elizabeth faintly.
'What, do you mean to say that this is true?' exclaimed Mr.
Woodbourne, in a voice which sounded to Elizabeth like a clap of
thunder.
'Indeed, Papa,' said she, once looking up in his face, and then
bending her eyes on the ground, while the colour in her checks grew
deeper and deeper; 'I am sorry to say that it is quite true, that we
did so very wrong and foolishly as to go. Helen and Lucy alone were
sensible and strong-minded enough to refuse to go.'
Mr. Woodbourne paced rapidly up and down the room, and Elizabeth
plainly saw that his displeasure was great.
'But, Mr. Woodbourne,' said her mamma, 'she did not know that it was
wrong. Do you not remember that she was not at home at the time that
Socialist was here? and I never told her of all that passed then.
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