Page:Magdalen, or, The history of a reform'd prostitute.pdf/18

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and my friends have continually represented you to me as lost, and I have been unable to learn more, than that you are become a vile & abandoned woman of the town!' Oh brother, I replied, they have indeed been cruel, though I am worthless but had they been more kind, they might have saved me from any present distress. You must have heard how often I have wrote to them, & to you; why was it that you would never give me one word of an answer? 'I never received a line from you, replied he, and whenever I enquired concerning you, my uncle bad me be silent, and never ask after the scandal of the family, using other vile names, which I shall not repeat. But, for God's sake, tell me, are you that unhappy woman? I tremble to think it.'— You may be assured I could give no answer. To hear this from a brother, and so young, and whom I tenderly loved, and whose sight renewed the remembrance of all my past offences, the remembrance of my dearest friends, and shewed me myself in the utmost degree of horror; to hear this, shocked me beyond expression; and his tears and affectionate anxiety added poignancy to every reflection. 'Oh! sister, said he, this is too much to be supported: but heaven has made me happy, that I may be the blessed means, I hope, of administering relief to you. If you have any proper place to go to, let me attend you, and tell you