Her
death was a great loss to me, Jenny--a great loss--and I have been
worse for it.'"
"And was this all you talked about, Jenny," asked Mr. Lofton, who
was much, affected by the artless narrative of the girl.
"It was all about his mother," replied Jenny. "He said that I not
only bore her name, but that I looked like her, and that it seemed
to him, while with me, that she was present."
"He said that, did he!" Mr. Lofton spoke more earnestly, and looked
intently upon Jenny's face. "Yes--yes--it is so. She does look like
dear Jenny," he murmured to himself. "I never saw this before. Dear
boy! We have done him wrong. These hasty conclusions--ah, me! To how
much evil do they lead!"
"And you were talking thus, when Mrs. Lee found you?"
"Yes, sir."
"What did she say?"
"I can hardly tell what she said, I was so frightened. But I know
she spoke angrily to him and to me, and threatened to see you."
Mr. Lofton sighed deeply, then added, as if the remark were casual--
"And that is the last you have seen of him."
"No, sir; I met him a little while ago, as he was hurrying away from
your house."
"You did!" Mr.
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