The New Magdalen

"Before the night comes I must leave the house from which I am now

writing. I have nowhere to go to. The little money, the few valuable

possessions I have, must be left behind me: they have been obtained

under false pretenses; they are not mine. No more forlorn creature

than I am lives at this moment. You are a Christian woman. Not for my

sake--for Christ's sake--pity me and take me back.

"I am a good nurse, as you know, and I am a quick worker with my needle.

In one way or the other can you not find occupation for me?

"I could also teach, in a very unpretending way. But that is useless.

Who would trust their children to a woman without a character? There is

no hope for me in this direction. And yet I am so fond of children! I

think I could be, not happy again, perhaps, but content with my lot, if

I could be associated with them in some way. Are there not charitable

societies which are trying to help and protect destitute children

wandering about the streets? I think of my own wretched childhood--and

oh! I should so like to be employed in saving other children from ending

as I have ended. I could work, for such an object as that, from morning

to night, and never feel weary. All my heart would be in it; and I

should have this advantage over happy and prosperous women--I should

have nothing else to think of. Surely they might trust me with the poor

little starving wanderers of the streets--if you said a word for me?

If I am asking too much, please forgive me. I am so wretched, madam--so

lonely and so weary of my life.

"There is only one thing more. My time here is very short. Will you

please reply to this letter (to say yes or no) by telegram?

"The name by which you know me is not the name by which I have been

known here. I must beg you to address the telegram to 'The Reverend

Julian Gray, Mablethorpe House, Kensington.' He is here, and he will

show it to me. No words of mine can describe what I owe to him. He has

never despaired of me--he has saved me from myself. God bless and reward

the kindest, truest, best man I have ever known!

"I have no more to say, except to ask you to excuse this long letter,

and to believe me your grateful servant, ----."

She signed and inclosed the letter, and wrote the address. Then, for

the first time, an obstacle which she ought to have seen before showed

itself, standing straight in her way.

There was no time to forward her letter in the ordinary manner by post.

It must be taken to its destination by a private messenger. Lady Janet's

servants had hitherto been, one and all, at her disposal. Could she

presume to employ them on her own affairs, when she might be dismissed

from the house, a disgraced woman, in half an hour's time? Of the two

alternatives it seemed better to take her chance, and present herself at

the Refuge without asking leave first.