It was in this very attitude that Lady Jane, who, returning from

church, ran to her husband's room directly she heard Mrs. Rawdon

Crawley was closeted there, found the Baronet and his sister-in-law.

"I am surprised that woman has the audacity to enter this house," Lady

Jane said, trembling in every limb and turning quite pale. (Her

Ladyship had sent out her maid directly after breakfast, who had

communicated with Raggles and Rawdon Crawley's household, who had told

her all, and a great deal more than they knew, of that story, and many

others besides). "How dare Mrs. Crawley to enter the house of--of an

honest family?"

Sir Pitt started back, amazed at his wife's display of vigour. Becky

still kept her kneeling posture and clung to Sir Pitt's hand.

"Tell her that she does not know all: Tell her that I am innocent,

dear Pitt," she whimpered out.

"Upon-my word, my love, I think you do Mrs. Crawley injustice," Sir

Pitt said; at which speech Rebecca was vastly relieved. "Indeed I

believe her to be--"

"To be what?" cried out Lady Jane, her clear voice thrilling and, her

heart beating violently as she spoke. "To be a wicked woman--a

heartless mother, a false wife? She never loved her dear little boy,

who used to fly here and tell me of her cruelty to him. She never came

into a family but she strove to bring misery with her and to weaken the

most sacred affections with her wicked flattery and falsehoods. She

has deceived her husband, as she has deceived everybody; her soul is

black with vanity, worldliness, and all sorts of crime. I tremble when

I touch her. I keep my children out of her sight."

"Lady Jane!" cried Sir Pitt, starting up, "this is really language--"

"I have been a true and faithful wife to you, Sir Pitt," Lady Jane

continued, intrepidly; "I have kept my marriage vow as I made it to God

and have been obedient and gentle as a wife should. But righteous

obedience has its limits, and I declare that I will not bear that--that

woman again under my roof; if she enters it, I and my children will

leave it. She is not worthy to sit down with Christian people.

You--you must choose, sir, between her and me"; and with this my Lady

swept out of the room, fluttering with her own audacity, and leaving

Rebecca and Sir Pitt not a little astonished at it.

As for Becky, she was not hurt; nay, she was pleased. "It was the

diamond-clasp you gave me," she said to Sir Pitt, reaching him out her

hand; and before she left him (for which event you may be sure my Lady

Jane was looking out from her dressing-room window in the upper story)

the Baronet had promised to go and seek out his brother, and endeavour

to bring about a reconciliation.




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