"
"Then they are wicked to judge without knowledge."
"Do you not owe society something?"
"It has no right to insist that I wear my heart upon my sleeve."
"I was your father's friend; I have known you from your birth,
Elizabeth Hallam--"
"Yet you listened to what every one said against me, and allowed it
so far to influence you that I was conscious of it, and though I called
on you purposely to seek your help and advice, your manner closed my
lips. You have known me from my birth. You knew and loved my father.
O, sir, could you not have trusted me? If I had been your friend's
son, instead of his daughter, you would have done so! You would have
said to all evil speakers, 'Mr. Hallam has doubtless just reasons for
the economy he is practicing.' But because I was a woman, I was
suspected; and every thing I could not explain was necessarily wicked.
O, how your doubt has wounded me! What wrong it has done me! How sorry
you would be if you knew the injustice you have done the child of your
old friend--the woman you baptized and confirmed, and never knew ill
of!" Standing still with her hand upon his arm she poured out her
complaints with passionate earnestness; her face flushed and lifted,
her eyes misty with unshed tears, her tall erect form quivering with
emotion. And as the rector looked and listened a swift change came
over his face.
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