Dewey, was
generally to be seen in her company when she went abroad. Now, the
cases were exceptional. I also noticed a gathering shade of trouble
on her face.
The fact was, opinion had commenced setting against her. The unhappy
affair at Saratoga was not allowed to sleep in the public mind of
S----. It was conned over, magnified, distorted, and added to, until
it assumed most discreditable proportions; and ladies who respected
themselves began to question whether it was altogether reputable to
be known as her intimate friends. The less scrupulous felt the force
of example as set by these, and began receding also. In a large
city, like New York, the defection would only have been partial; for
there, one can be included in many fashionable circles, while only a
few of them may be penetrated by a defaming rumor. But in a small
town like S----, the case is different.
I was surprised when I comprehended the meaning of this apparent
isolation of herself by Mrs. Dewey, and saw, in progress, the ban of
social ostracism. While I pitied the victim, I was glad that we had
virtue enough, even among our weak-minded votaries of fashion, to
stamp with disapproval the conduct of which she had been guilty.
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