Read "The Perpetual Curate" by Margaret Oliphant online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The first thing Mr. Wentworth did was to hasten upstairs to Wodehouse's room. Sarah had gone before him, and was by this time talking to her mistress, who had left the window, and stood, still in her nightcap, at the door of her own chamber. "It's something about Rosa Elsworthy, ma'am," said Sarah; "she's gone off with someone, which nothing else was to be expected; and her uncle's been a-raving and a-raging at Mr. Wentworth, which proves as a gentleman should never take no notice of them shop-girls. I always heard as she was a bad lot. "
"Oh, Mr. Wentworth -- if you would excuse my nightcap," said Mrs. Hadwin -- "I am so shaken and all of a tremble with that noise; I couldn't help thinking it must be a murder at the least," said the little old lady; "but I never could believe that there was anything between you and -- Sarah, you may go away; I should like to talk to Mr. Wentworth by himself," said Mrs. Hadwin, suddenly remembering that Mr. Wentworth's character must not be discussed in the presence of even her favourite maid.