ected; he was now from home. I desired the woman to walk into
the parlour. She hesitated, yet obeyed. I assured her that I should not
mention to my husband (the word seemed to weigh on my respiration), that
I had seen her, or his child. The woman stared at me with astonishment;
and I turned my eyes on the squalid object [that accompanied her.] She
could hardly support herself, her complexion was sallow, and her eyes
inflamed, with an indescribable look of cunning, mixed with the wrinkles
produced by the peevishness of pain.

"Poor child!' I exclaimed. 'Ah! you may well say poor child,' replied
the woman. 'I brought her here to see whether he would have the heart
to look at her, and not get some advice. I do not know what they deserve
who nursed her. Why, her legs bent under her like a bow when she came to
me, and she has never been well since; but, if they were no better paid
than I am, it is not to be wondered at, sure enough.'

"On further enquiry I was informed, that this miserable spectacle was
the daughter of a servant, a country girl, who caught Mr. Venables' eye,
and whom he seduced. On his marriage he sent her away, her situation
being too visible. After her delivery, she was thrown on the town;
and died in an hospital within the year. The babe was sent to a
parish-nurse, and afterwards to this woman, who did not seem much
better; but what was to be expected from such a close bargain? She was
only paid three shillings a week for board and washing.

"The woman begged me to give her some old clothes for the child,
assuring me, that she was almost afraid to ask master for money to buy
even a pair of shoes.

"I grew sick at heart. And, fearing Mr. Venables might enter, and
oblige me to express my abhorrence, I hastily enquired where she lived,
promised to pay her two shillings a week more, and to call on her in
a day or two; putting a trifle into her hand as a proof of my good
intention.

"If the state of this child affected me, what were my feelings at a
discovery I made respecting Peggy--?"*

* The manuscript is imperfect here. An episode seems to
have been intended, which was never committed to paper.
EDITOR. [Godwin's note]

CHAPTER 10

"MY FATHER'S situation was now so distressing, that I prevailed on my
uncle to accompany me to visit him; and to lend me his assistance, to
prevent the whole property of the family from becoming the prey of
my brother's rapacity; for, to extric