‘You knew it, then, before I did,’ returned Fanny, with a slight bitterness of accent.
‘Indeed!’ rejoined Miss Jessop. ‘But do not think of going to the pawnbroker’s, for I am sure that is where you are going.—’
‘Who told you that I was going to the pawnbroker’s?’ inquired Fanny, coloring, and speaking in a tone of mingled vexation and surprise.
‘Nay, do not be angry!’ said Miss Jessop, whose manner was kind and conciliating. ‘I was sure of it, as soon as I saw you, and you cannot deny it; but do not look vexed because I have penetrated your intentions. I see that you want a friend, and it was because I felt convinced that you were going into the shop that I accosted you.’
‘I do indeed want a friend, Miss Jessop,’ returned Fanny, sighing, ‘I never felt the want of one so much as at this moment.’
‘Then come home, if you have no where else to go to, and we will have a little chat together,’ said Miss Jessop, in a very friendly tone. ‘I am older than you in years, and still older in experience, for all that you now see dimly louring upon the horizon, I have long ago passed through.’
Fanny was in that frame of mind which prompts the seeker after guidance or consolation to be communicative and to give confidence wherever friendship is proffered, and she walked home with Miss Jessop, whom she invited into her own sitting-room.
‘You are very comfortable here,’ said the young lady, as she glanced round the apartment. ‘I hope you do not think of leaving?’
‘I have thought of many things, but as yet have been able to decide upon nothing,’ returned Fanny, with a faint smile.
‘And yet you were about to do the most foolish thing imaginable, if I had not prevented you,’ observed Miss Jessop. ‘For whatever course you decide upon, it would be foolish to make away with your best clothes, and the money you raised by so doing would only serve to avert for a few days the decision that you would have to come to at last. For instance, if you decide upon returning home to your friends, where would be the use of delaying your return until you had eat up all your clothes? Again if you determined upon receiving the visits of any other gentleman, would it not be foolish to delay accepting of his proposals until you were penniless? If you will take the advice of one who has been in the same position, you will do at once, whatever you decide upon doing, for, however desperate your position may be, procrastination will only make it worse.’