"Religion! There's very little time for religion in the places I've had to work in." Then, thinking of Fred, she added that she had returned to Christ, and hoped He would forgive her. William encouraged her to speak of herself, remarking that, chapel or no chapel, she seemed just as severe and particular as ever. "If you won't, I can only say I am sorry; but that shan't prevent me from paying you as much a week as you think necessary for Jack's keep and his schooling. I don't want the boy to cost you anything. I'd like to do a great deal more for the boy, but I can't do more unless you make him my child."
"And I can only do that by going away to live with you?" The words brought an instinctive look of desire into her eyes.
"In six months we shall be man and wife…. Say yes."
"I can't… I can't, don't ask me."
"You're afraid to trust me, is that it?"
Esther did not answer.
"I can make that all right: I'll settle £500 on you and the child."
She looked up; the same look was in her eyes, only modified, softened by some feeling of tenderness which had come into her heart.
He put his arm round her; she was leaning against the table; he was sitting on the edge.
"You know that I mean to act rightly by you."