'Whither have you been rambling so early?' said Madame Cheron, as her
niece entered the breakfast-room. 'I don't approve of these solitary
walks;' and Emily was surprised, when, having informed her aunt, that
she had been no further than the gardens, she understood these to be
included in the reproof. 'I desire you will not walk there again at
so early an hour unattended,' said Madame Cheron; 'my gardens are
very extensive; and a young woman, who can make assignations by moon-
light, at La Vallee, is not to be trusted to her own inclinations
elsewhere.'
Emily, extremely surprised and shocked, had scarcely power to beg an
explanation of these words, and, when she did, her aunt absolutely
refused to give it, though, by her severe looks, and half sentences,
she appeared anxious to impress Emily with a belief, that she was
well informed of some degrading circumstances of her conduct.
Conscious innocence could not prevent a blush from stealing over
Emily's cheek; she trembled, and looked confusedly under the bold eye
of Madame Cheron, who blushed also; but hers was the blush of
triumph, such as sometimes stains the countenance of a person,
congratulating himself on the penetration which had taught him to
suspect another, and who loses both pity for the supposed criminal,
and indignation of his guilt, in the gratification of his own vanity.
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