“Anything, if you’ll only be the dear, good, sensible little woman you used to be.”
“I will, dear—always,” she whispered.
“And fight for me, so that I may not lose.”
“Yes, dear, of course.”
“Can I trust you, Lyddy?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Then, whatever happens, you will, for my sake, hold your tongue till I tell you to speak?”
“Yes, if I die for it,” she said earnestly.
“I thought you would be sensible,” he said, nodding at her. “Come, that’s my pretty, wise little woman. Now go about your business, and wait for the bright days to come, when I shall be free to do as I like.”
“Yes, Jessop,” she whispered, and after a sharp glance at the door she bent forward and kissed him quickly. “But there isn’t anything between you and Miss Janet?”