Lofton. "Did he tell you that he would wait there for you?"

"Oh, no, sir. The meeting was accidental. I was sent over to Mrs.
Jasper's on an errand, and, in passing through the woods, saw him
sitting alone and looking very unhappy. I was frightened; but he
told me that he wouldn't hurt a hair of my head. Then he made me sit
down upon the grass beside him, and talk to him about his mother. He
asked me a great many questions, and I told him all that I could
remember about her. Sometimes the tears would steal over his cheeks;
and sometimes he would say--'Ah! if my mother had not died. Her
death was a great loss to me, Jenny--a great loss--and I have been
worse for it.'"

"And was this all you talked about, Jenny," asked Mr. Lofton, who
was much, affected by the artless narrative of the girl.

"It was all about his mother," replied Jenny. "He said that I not
only bore her name, but that I looked like her, and that it seemed
to him, while with me, that she was present."

"He said that, did he!" Mr. Lofton spoke more earnestly, and looked
intently upon Jenny's face. "Yes--yes--it is so. She does look like
dear Jenny," he murmured to himself. "I never saw this before. Dear
boy! We have done him wrong. These hasty conclusions--ah, me! To how
much evil do they lead!"

"And you were talking thus, when Mrs. Lee found you?"

"Yes, sir."