58 THE HISTORY OF

me and the gentleman. As soon as I had fi-
nished the story, Mrs. Bennet cried out, “« And
were you so rude, Susan, as not to take the
money? Don’t you know that it is the greatest
affront a servant can put upon a gentleman, to
refuse his money? Why, the Captain will
never forgive you! How could you, Susan,
behave in such a manner?”

‘I did not want the money,” I answered.

‘© Not want it!” said my mistress: “ why you
have not a decent gown to your back. Every
body says that you would be well-looking
enough, if you dressed but smartly. But as it
is, you are such a dowdy, such a country
Joan, no one will look upon you. Is it not
so, Charlotte?”

“ Don’t talk to her about it,” said Charlotte;
‘she can’t help her poverty: those who knew
her aunt, don’t wonder at the figure she cuts—
poor low creature! And, as to the Captain, I
am sure he never would offer her money: and,
if he did, 1 am sure she never would refuse it.
Don’t let her deceive you, Mrs. Bennet, with
her fine stories.”

‘Nay, I do not think the girl would tell a
lie,” answered my mistress: “I always found
her honest enough. But now, do tell me,
Susan, why did you not take the Captain’s
money?”

“« Because,” I said, ‘ although I am poor,
yet 1 fear my God, and I will never take any
money, but such as I can get in an honest man-
ner. Did God see fit, he could make me rich-
er in one day than I should become, were 1 for