He could look at Arithelli's position quite judicially,
and as an outsider. The world, religious and otherwise, would
certainly not give her the benefit of the doubt.
She was young, she was possessed of a weird and haunting beauty, she
had no women friends, no relations, and no companions but a set of
law-breakers, all of whom were men. No one would believe that she was
untouched, unawakened, that she had been treated as a boy, and her
womanhood not so much respected as ignored. If anyone put the wrong
ideas into her head, Emile reflected, it was sure to be one of her own
sex.
Having matured his plans he descended to the kitchen regions,
manufacturing impressive threats _en route_.
Here an answer to his problem presented itself, or rather herself. The
landlady had a niece who came in daily to assist in household matters,
and take part in a duet of feminine gossip.
She was a solid young woman of unmoved countenance, who was quite
prepared to nurse the ten plagues of Egypt, providing she received
sufficient remuneration. She proposed to get married at the earliest
opportunity and what Emile offered her would be of great assistance in
providing her bridal finery.
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