"Perhaps I can't do anything for you," he said, "in my own person. But I can see that other people do. I can see that you have counsel."
"Alston," said she, in what seemed to him a beautiful simplicity, "why can't you do anything for me?"
This was so divinely childlike and direct that he had to tell her.
"Esther, don't you see? If you have grounds for action against your husband, could I be the man to try your case? Could I? When you have just said I am the last man you could tell? I can't get you a divorce——" he stopped there. He couldn't possibly add, "and then marry you afterward."
"I see," said Esther, yet raging against him inwardly. "You can't help me."
"I can help you," said Alston. "But you must be frank with me. I must know whether you have any case at all. Now answer me quite simply and plainly. Does Jeff support you?"
"Oh, no," said Esther.
"He gives you no money whatever?"
"None."
"Then he's a bigger rascal than I've been able to think him."