“Better than a spendthrift,” said Janet.
“How do you know that?” returned her uncle. “All the difference I see is, that the extravagant ruins the rich, and the stingy robs the poor.”
“But perhaps she repented, uncle,” said Kate.
“I don’t think she did, Katey. Look here.”
Uncle Cornelius drew from the breast pocket of his coat a black-edged letter.
“I have kept up my friendship with her brother,” he said. “All he knows about the matter is, that either we had a quarrel, or she refused me;—he is not sure which. I must say for Laetitia, that she was no tattler. Well, here’s a letter I had from James this very morning. I will read it to you.
“ ‘ My dear Mr. Heywood —We have had a terrible shock this morning. Letty did not come down to breakfast, and Lizzie went to see if she was ill. We heard her scream, and, rushing