"was not very fond of keeping out of Erskine's way, she could hardly refuse to come when asked."
"I have no wish to refuse;" replied Jane, who, ashamed of having betrayed so much emotion, had quite recovered her self-possession, and stood calm in conscious integrity.—"But hear me, ma'am," said she to her aunt, who had turned and was leaving the room—"all connexion between us is dissolved for ever; I shall not remain another night beneath a roof where I have received little kindness, and where I now suffer the imputation of a crime, of which I cannot think you believe me guilty."
Mrs. Wilson was for a moment daunted by the power of unquestionable innocence.—"I know not where I shall go, I know not whether your persecutions will follow me; but I am not friendless—nor fearful."
She passed by her aunt, and descended to the parlour. 'No thought infirm altered her cheek;' her countenance was very serious, but the peace of virtue was there. Her voice did not falter in the least, when she said to Edward, as he closed the door on her entrance into the parlour—"Mr. Erskine, you have no doubt requested to see me in the expectation that I would contradict the statement my aunt must have made to you. I cannot, for it is all true."
Edward interrupted her—"I do not wish it, Jane; I believe you are perfectly innocent of that and of every other crime; I do not wish you
