Karen answers “I'm assuming Rivers slept with Agnes, but...”

Tyler asked this question about Fingersmith:

I'm assuming Rivers slept with Agnes, but how did she suddenly or at least seemingly develop scarlet fever? EDIT: But apparently he didn't sleep with her? "'You mean Agnes, I suppose. Don't flatter her. There are more ways of shaming a virtuous girl, than that one. You ought to know.'" So what happened?

Karen My guess is that he forced his genitals into Agnes's mouth, and in doing so, infected her with some kind of STD that everyone called "scarlet fever" o…moreMy guess is that he forced his genitals into Agnes's mouth, and in doing so, infected her with some kind of STD that everyone called "scarlet fever" out of prudery or ignorance.(less)

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