Roxy Hastings — page 214: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROXY HASTINGS. 205 But we must return to the time when Mary Blythe re- ceived Miss Holden’s letter, and from that point take up another thread of our narrative. : Miss Blythe did not hesitate about complying with her friend’s request, but in what way she should set about the delicate task of undeceiving the afflicted mother, and yet keep secret the place of Lucy’s retreat, and her own com- plicity in her flight, she found it difficult to decide. An anonymous note would obtain but partial credence, and might drive the mother frantic with suspense and anxiety. If she went in person to see Mrs. Holden, Mary féared that she might in some way be compelled to dis- close the whole secret with which she had been intrusted, and which she had so long sacredly guarded. Yet she decided, after much reflection, on this course. She was sure that she was unknown to any member of the Holden family, except Lucy, her former schoolmate, and resolving to see the mother alone, she believed she could accomplish her errand without divulging that portion of her friend’s secret which it was still considered important to preserve. Without assuming a positive disguise, Mary dressed her- self a little below her station when she went on this er- rand, hoping that she might be mistaken for a “help.” But here was an evident error of judgment, for it was only by over-dressing, with the aid of manners to match, that she could properly enact the role of a Biddy. She found the Holdens’ new home with great difficulty, for she had never heard of the failure of Mark or of his change of residence. But there was no mistaking the signs of poverty in the present surroundings of the once wealthy family—for the street, the house, and the furniture all told the same story of indigence; a few degrees above destitution, yet quite beneath the low water-mark of re- | spectability. | Miss Blythe rang several times before the door was opened by a sad-looking girl, whose dress betokened a ser- vant of all work, but whose striking resemblance to Lucy — could not be mistaken. She looked very earnestly at the visitor, and seemed re- lieved at not recognizing her, and when the latter in- quired® for Mrs. Holden, Fanny, for she it was, showed her into a small darkened parlor, saying, “I will call her.” She did not say, “I will call mother,” for the poor girl evidently did not want to be taken, in such a “rig,” for one of the family. *COMIGCHOOKS (e(6)