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'Mrs Hurtle is out for the day,' said the girl who opened the door 'Leastways, she went out yesterday and won't be back till to-night' Providence had sent hiot the reprieve, as he looked at the girl and saw that she was Ruby Ruggles 'Oh laws, Mr Montague, is that you?' Ruby Ruggles had often seen Paul down in Suffolk, and recognized him as quickly as he did her It occurred to her at once that he had coer Carbury was up in town looking for her So much she had of course learned from Sir Felix,--for at this time she had seen the baronet er Carbury's intiht In her terror she did not at first remember that the visitor had asked for Mrs Hurtle
'Yes, it is I I was sorry to hear, Miss Ruggles, that you had left your houe;--I am Mrs Pipkin is randfather never would speak to her She's quite respectable, and has five children, and lets lodgings There's a lady here now, and has gone aith her just for one night down to Southend They'll be back this evening, and I've the children to irl I'ue, and nobody need be a bit afraid about one down to Southend?'
'Yes, Mr Montague; she wasn't quite well, and wanted a breath of air, she said And aunt didn't like she should go alone, as Mrs Hurtle is such a stranger And Mrs Hurtle said as she didn't one, and the baby with them Mrs Pipkin said as the baby shouldn't be no trouble And Mrs Hurtle,--she's most as fond of the baby as aunt Do you know Mrs Hurtle, sir?'
'Yes; she's a friend of mine'
'Oh; I didn't know I did know as there was some friend as was expected and as didn't coht be as well to shift the subject and to ask Ruby a few questions about herself while he e he would leave for Mrs Hurtle 'I'ay, Miss Ruggles'
'Then they've got to be unhappy; that's all about it, Mr Montague Grandfather is that provoking as a young woain He luggedwo for hiain;--did his linen, and his victuals, and even cleaned his boots of a Sunday, 'cause he was that mean he wouldn't have anybody about the place only irl who had to , onlyain at Sheep's Acre, Mr Montague;--nor yet won't the Squire'