Had I been less innocent I should certainly have
contrived to appear much less guilty. Had it occurred to me on the
banks of the Jordan that Smith was a lady, I should not have
travelled with her in her gentleman's habiliments from Jerusalem to
Jaffa. Had she consented to remain under my protection, she must
have done so without a masquerade.
The uncle stood still and looked at his niece. He probably
understood how thoroughly stern and disagreeable was his own face,
and considered that he could punish the crime of his relative in no
severer way than by looking at her. In this I think he was right.
But at last there was a necessity for speaking. "Unfortunate young
woman!" he said, and then paused.
"We had better get rid of the landlord," I said, "before we come to
any explanation." And I motioned to the man to leave the room.
This he did very unwillingly, but at last he was gone.
"I fear that it is needless to care on her account who may hear the
story of her shame," said Sir William. I looked at Miss Weston, but
she still sat hiding her face. However, if she did not defend
herself, it was necessary that I should defend both her and me.
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