My friend tried to speak for me; but what was she?
Only a lost woman like myself.

My landlady's evidence in favor of my honesty produced no effect; it was against her that she let lodgings to people in my position.

I was prosecuted, and found guilty.

The tale of my disgrace is now complete, Mr.Holmcroft.No matter whether I was innocent or not, the shame of it remains--I have been imprisoned for theft.
"The matron of the prison was the next person who took an interest in me.

She reported favorably of my behavior to the authorities and when I had served my time (as the phrase was among us) she gave me a letter to the kind friend and guardian of my later years--to the lady who is coming here to take me back with her to the Refuge.
"From this time the story of my life is little more than the story of a woman's vain efforts to recover her lost place in the world.
"The matron, on receiving me into the Refuge, frankly acknowledged that there were terrible obstacles in my way.