"Yes. Cared for her. You think that's horrible of her—that she should have gone to him—and yet you want to tie her to him when she's afraid of him. And I think it's horrible of you."
"She must marry him." Mary spoke again. "She's brought it on herself,
Gwenda."
"She hasn't brought it on herself. And she shan't marry him."
"I'm afraid she'll have to," Rowcliffe said.
"She won't have to if I take her away somewhere and look after her. I mean to do it. I'll work for her. I'll take care of the child."
"Oh, you—you——!" The Vicar waved her away with a frantic flapping of his hands.
He turned to his son-in-law.
"Rowcliffe—I beg you—will you use your influence?"
"I have none."
That drew her. "Steven—help me—can't you see how terrible it is if she's afraid of him?"