"Her uncle, I suppose you know, failed in business, and has become poor," replied Mrs. Carlton.
"True. I was perfectly aware of that, but didn't reflect that poverty was a social crime. And is it possible that so lovely a girl as Jessie Hampton has been excluded from the circle she so graced with her presence, because of this change in her uncle's circumstances?"
"It is true to a very great extent, Mr. Edgar," returned Mrs. Carlton, "though I am glad to say that there are a few who can appreciate the real gold of her character, and who love her as truly and esteem her as highly as ever they did."
"A worthy few, and if I were only so fortunate as to fall in company with her, I would be of the number. Is she here to-night?"
The young man looked at Mrs. Freeman, and became aware, from the expression of her face, that the subject was disagreeable to her. With easy politeness he changed the theme of conversation; but as soon as opportunity offered, sought out Mrs. Carlton, and asked a question or two more about Jessie.
"What has become of Miss Hampton? I should really like to know," he said.
Mrs. Carlton could only reply direct, and she answered,
"She is living in this family in the capacity of governess."
"Indeed! I have been visiting here, off and on, for a twelvemonth, but have neither seen her nor heard her name mentioned. Are you sure?"
"Oh yes. I procured her the situation over a year ago, and see her almost every week."