Mistress Haylark had watched every movement of her daughter, and began to imagine that her many lectures regarding discountenancing Charley Warbeck’s addresses were beginning to have their anticipated effect.
She congratulated herself that no child of hers would be foolish enough to look so lowly as to encourage a person of suspected character.
She often said she would not have stayed a day in Dame Worthington’s house, if public opinion had not considered there were many extenuating circumstances in Charley’s guilt.
The true cause of Charley’s altered manner could easily be explained.
He was looked upon as a dangerous person, and one that should not be trusted.
Former friends and acquaintances passed him in the streets without the slightest indication of recognition.
He had applied for business engagements in various places.
But his name was more than enough to thwart his prospects.
When he informed gentlemen that his last occupation had been as clerk in the India House they put him off with specious promises, but never employed him.
He sometimes felt upon the verge of distraction, and more than once meditated self-destruction.