Brighton; no good can come of this, it is nothing but wickedness. You
must try to be good, Robinson. West has, as you know, a wife and
children, and you must not think of him any more. You have taken this
lodging so that you may see him. You must think of your future; this
can't last.'"

"No, indeed, this life is but a moment," sighed Aunt Hester. "I wish
you had had one of these books to give her."

"I did better, Hester. I told her some plain truths, and she put off
her high and mighty airs and began to cry. I shall never forget it.
Oh, how hot it was in that little room just under the slates, with one
garret window and the sun pouring in. There was scarcely any
furniture, and I was sitting on her bed. I said, 'Now, Robinson, you
must give me back the presents West made you, and you must promise me
to go back to Chichester.' And I didn't leave her until she promised
me to go home next day.

"When I stepped into the carriage you should have seen West's face. He
didn't know what had happened; I didn't speak to him till next day. As
I was going into the garden I called him. I said, 'West, I want to
speak to you.' 'Yes, mum.' We went into the back garden; I was
planting there. Edward was out riding, so I knew we shouldn't be
disturbed. I said, 'West, I saw Robinson yesterday, and I have a
parcel for you; she has promised me not to see you, and you must
promise me not to see her.' 'Very well, mum, since you say it.' 'This
is a very sad affair, West.' 'A bad business, mum--a bad business,
mum.' There was always something in West's stolid face that used to
amuse me. You should have heard him. 'I don't think she could help it,
mum; she never loved another man--I really don't. But I was going to