, where she would be thrown into what is called
the great world.

"Do not think me foolish or self-willed, my dear aunt," she said; "I had
better tell you what I feel, for fear you should judge hardly of me;
although in any other case it would be my duty to be silent. A person
who has fallen into uncommon misfortunes, however guiltless he may be,
carries a frightful mark upon him. His presence, in every one who sees
him and is aware of his history, excites a kind of horror. People see in
him the terrible fate which has been laid upon him, and he is the object
of a diseased and nervous curiosity. It is so with a house, it is so
with a town, where any terrible action has been done; people enter them
with awe; the light of day shines less brightly there, and the stars
seem to lose their lustre.

"Perhaps we ought to excuse it, but how extreme is the indiscretion with
which people behave toward such unfortunates, with their foolish
importunities and awkward kindness! You must forgive me for speaking in
this way, but that poor girl whom Luciana tempted out of her retirement,
and with such mistaken good nature tried to force into society and
amusement, has haunted me and made me miserable. The poor creature, when
she was so frightened and tried to escape, and then sank and swooned
away, and I caught her in my arms, and the party came all crowding round
in terror and curiosity!--little did I think, then, that the same fate
was in store for me. But my feeling for her is as deep and warm and
fresh as ever it was; and now I may direct my compassion upon myself,
and secure myself from being the object of any similar exposure."

"But, my dear child," answered Charlotte, "you will never be able to
withdraw yourself where no one can see you; we have no cloisters now:
otherwise, there, with your present feelings, would be your resource."

"Solitude would not give me the resource for which I wish, my dear
aunt," answered Ottilie. "The one true and valuable resource is to be
looked for where we can be active and useful; all the self-denials and
all the penances on earth will fail to deliver us from an evil-omened
destiny, if it be determined to persecute us. Let me sit still in
idleness and serve as a spectacle for the world, and it will overpower
me and crush me. But find me some peaceful employment, where I can go
steadily and unweariedly on doing my duty, and I shall be able to bear
the eyes of men, when I need not shrink under th