'I'm much obleeged, Ed'ard,' she said tremblingly.
'I've disgraced my calling, and I've this morning hurt my mother beyond healing.'
'I'd best be going, Ed'ard. The sun'll soon be undering.'
The day blazed towards noon, but she felt the chill of darkness.
'And now,' Edward finished, 'that I have no mother, no self-respect, and no respect for you, I will at least have my pleasure and—my children.
The words softened him a little.
'Hazel,' he said, 'I will forgive you for murdering my soul when you give me a son, I will almost believe in you again, next year—Hazel—'
He knelt by her with his arms round her. She was astonished at the mastery of passion in him. She had never thought of him but as passionless.
'To-night,' he said, and tenderness crept back into his voice, 'is my bridal. There is no saving for me now in denial, only in fulfilment. I can forgive much, Hazel, for I love much. But I can't renounce any more.'
Hazel had heard nothing of what he said since the words, 'when you give me a son.'