"Your secret is safe with me, never fear. No mortal shall ever dream that I know your history. But, my lord, you will go back some day?"
Instantly his voice came back to him clear and strong:
"Never! never! Living or dead, I will never go back to England again. That is my irrevocable determination."
"Then may God help you!"
"Esther, can't you guess now why I must go away from here, why I must leave to-morrow?"
He could hardly recognise the voice that answered.
"Yes, yes, I see. It is impossible for you to be my father's servant any longer."
"That was not what I meant. I meant because I am afraid to stay with you, lest my evil life should contaminate yours."
"That is impossible! How can you hurt me?"