Subj: Quentin & Jenny -- Epilogue
Date: 1/11/99 5:23:05 PM Central Standard Time
From: DSRules

EPILOGUE

Four months after Quentin left, Beth went to see Judith privately.

"Miss Collins, I have something of a rather . . . delicate nature to discuss with you."

"Yes?"

"I'm . . . expecting."

"I see. And Quentin's the father?"

"How could you possibly -- ?"

Judith smiled. "Just because I'm an old maid doesn't mean that I'm completely blind to what goes on around me. I saw the two of you leaving the locked room, and I remember the date. It was almost exactly four months ago."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Would you like to keep the baby?"

"I can't see how I could."

"Would you like to be a part of his -- or her -- life, then?"

"Oh! Yes, ma'am!"

"Well, as you know, we've arranged for Jenny's baby to be raised by Mrs. Fillmore here in town. If you would be agreeable to the arrangement, we could also send your baby to her, and when we send her allowance to her, you'd be allowed to spend time with the babies. You would be like a sort of aunt to him or her."

"Oh, Miss Collins!"

"Don't get too excited, Beth. In exchange for this arrangement, I will require you to continue working for us for as long as Jenny remains with us."

Her eyes glowing, Beth responded. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

And thus it was that in November of 1896, Jenny gave birth to a daughter, Lenore Elaine, and two weeks later, Beth bore another daughter, Rebecca Faith.

* * * * *

In June of 1897, Quentin returned home to Collinwood. Not much had changed about the place, except that Jenny was notably absent. No one ever spoke of her, and, although he ached to find out what had become of his wife, Quentin never dared ask.

But that's a whole other story.