"Well, Alice, we have been considering what is best for you. You wish to earn your own livelihood, and perhaps marry some honest man hereafter."
"Marry, sir—never!" said Alice, with great earnestness, her eyes filling with tears.
"And why?"
"Because I shall never see /him/ on earth, and they do not marry in heaven, sir."
The banker was moved, for he was not worse than his neighbours, though trying to make them believe he was so much better.
"Well, time enough to talk of that; but in the meanwhile you would support yourself?"
"Yes, sir. His child ought to be a burden to none—nor I either. I once wished to die, but then who would love my little one? Now I wish to live."
"But what mode of livelihood would you prefer? Would you go into a family, in some capacity?—not that of a servant—you are too delicate for that."
"Oh, no—no!"
"But, again, why?" asked the banker, soothingly, yet surprised.