Here Ellen came forward, and tenderly kissing her begged her not to send me away.
“I do so love him, dear madam, and I do so long to have him now—it was so exciting to see him having you, that I shall die if you don’t let me have him now.”
“Dreadful! dreadful!” said aunt. “Why, I thought I was just in time to save you.”
“Oh, no, he had slept with me all night, and has often had me before, but he was not the first who had me, so that there was no violation nor seduction.”
“Then you must have seduced him, you wicked minx, for a more innocent boy never was known.”
Poor Ellen, confounded at the accusation, repelled it as untrue, and said she knew well enough who seduced me.
Aunt for the moment felt this as a home thrust, for be it remembered, she fancied she had had my maidenhead.
“What do you mean by that? I insist upon you speaking out.”
Ellen gave way and said it was Mrs. Dale who first had me.
“She had accidentally seen how powerfully Charlie was armed, and then could not resist teaching him how to use his weapon. I saw them doing it, and hence I longed for it myself. Look, dear madam, what a noble one it is. I am sure, if you had known of it, you could not yourself have resisted having it, try it, try it once more, and I am sure you will forgive us, and share our joys.”