Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/78

 "He! poor innocent darling!" cried Jenny; "no, as I hope to be saved, he was not even near it."

"O Jenny, what a sin are you committing!" I exclaimed. But her ladyship commanded me to be silent, and to leave the room.

I went, grieved and astonished at her injustice, but rejoicing in my innocence. Jackson was very kind to me, and assured me that my Lady would, when left to herself, come round, but that there would be no good in speaking to her at present. There was indeed no good in it; for all that Miss Osburne said in my defence, only made her more positive in asserting the truth of Jenny's story: and when my amiable friend would have questioned the child, she helped him to all his answers; and it is surprising how soon children can observe who is on their side, and how soon they can learn to practise the little arts of cunning and deceit.

My leaving the castle was now a thing