Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/142

134 your bright folks slump on the right hand and on the left. But where was I—oh, looking back—a dreary prospect! I grew up a poor, ignorant, thoughtless, vain thing—but, Susan, I was not hard-hearted; even then, had I got into good hands—had I married a solid man, and had children to take care of, I should have been, not such a wife and mother as you are, but I might have been a decent woman—and that was what I had secret cravings to be, even when I had a carriage at my command, and elegant rooms and furniture."

"Poor Paulina!"

"Yes, Susan, most to be pitied then; for then I was most blinded to all good; I can see it now, even from these depths. You know mother married a rich old man, what we thought rich, and we moved to New-York; I had always lots of young men after me; I lived at the theatre, and the public balls, and such places, and cared for nothing but dress and flattery. Morris Finley courted me—I always liked him—and if I had married him then—but there's no use in looking back; I wonder if his conscience would be easy if he could see me the poor ruined wretch I am now. Hark!—what noise is that?"

"It's only my children and Juliet, playing."

"Poor Juliet!—do you think Harry will get me clear, Susan ?"

"I hope so; but had you not better compose yourself,—and try to get a little sleep?"

"Sleep! I cannot. If you knew what a relief it is to me to unburden my heart—to have a good person willing to sit down by me as you do. As I was saying, when my stepfather died, and we had