Afterwards I did observe it, and I can tell you what it was. It
was a walking-dress. Perhaps,' said she, with a smile, 'perhaps you
would like to know the material? But really I have forgotten that.'
'Pardon my idle question, Winnie--pray go on. I will interrupt you no
more.'
'Oh, you will interrupt me no more! We shall see. The gentleman then
led me through a passage of some length.'
'Do describe it!'
'I felt quite sure you would interrupt me no more. Well! The dim
light in the windows made me guess I was in an old house, and from
the sweet smell of hay and wild-flowers I thought we were near the
Wilderness, at Raxton. I could only imagine that I had fallen
insensible on the sands and been taken to Raxton Hall.'
'Ah! that's where you ought to have been taken.' I could not help
exclaiming.
'Surely not,' said Winnie.
'Why?'
'Your mother! But why have you turned so angry?'
In spite of all that I had lately witnessed of my mother's sufferings
from remorse, in spite of all the deep and genuine pity that those
sufferings had drawn from me, Winnie's words struck deeper than any
pity for any creature but herself, and for a moment my soul rose
against my mother again.
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