living in constant remembrance of your lost mother has helped you to grow like her in character. how clever it was of her to tell you to do this. i admire and respect you, my daughter, and i am ashamed to think that for one instant i believed your suspicious step-mother's story and suspected you of evil, and came with the intention of scolding you severely, while all this time you have been so true and good. before you i have no countenance left, and i beg you to forgive me."