Mr. Philip was obliged to
remind me that time was of importance, and that I had better give
myself up immediately, on the merciful terms which his kindness
offered to me. I acknowledged that, and wished him good morning.
But a mist seemed to come over my eyes as I turned round to go
away--a mist that prevented me from finding my way to the door.
Mr. Philip opened it for me, and said a friendly word or two
which I could hardly hear. The man waiting outside took me to his
companion in the carriage at the door, and I was driven away, a
prisoner for the first time in my life.
On our way to the justice's, what little thinking faculty I had
left in me was all occupied in the attempt to trace a motive for
the inconceivable treachery and falsehood of which Josephine had
been guilty.
Her words, her looks, and her manner, on that unfortunate day
when my mistress so far forget herself as to strike, her, came
back diml y to my memory, and led to the inference that part of
the motive, at least, of which I was in search, might be referred
to what had happened on that occasion. But was this the only
reason for her devilish vengeance against my mistress? And, even
if it were so, what fancied injuries had I done her? Why should I
be included in the false accusation? In the dazed state of my
faculties at that time, I was quite incapable of seeking the
answer to these questions.
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