The tale of my disgrace is now
complete, Mr. Holmcroft. No matter whether I was innocent or not,
the shame of it remains--I have been imprisoned for theft.
"The matron of the prison was the next person who took an
interest in me. She reported favorably of my behavior to the
authorities and when I had served my time (as the phrase was
among us) she gave me a letter to the kind friend and guardian of
my later years--to the lady who is coming here to take me back
with her to the Refuge.
"From this time the story of my life is little more than the
story of a woman's vain efforts to recover her lost place in the
world.
"The matron, on receiving me into the Refuge, frankly
acknowledged that there were terrible obstacles in my way. But
she saw that I was sincere, and she felt a good woman's sympathy
and compassion for me. On my side, I did not shrink from
beginning the slow and weary journey back again to a reputable
life from the humblest starting-point--from domestic service.
After first earning my new character in the Refuge, I obtained a
trial in a respectable house. I worked hard, and worked
uncomplainingly; but my mother's fatal legacy was against me from
the first.
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