'But is he a man who speaks the truth?'
'I care not. You shall be a lady, and you shall marry a gentleman, a real gentleman—such as was your father.'
'But were you happy with him?'
'We were ill-assorted. You shall be a lady.'
'Do not, for ever, dear mother, turn back like a wheel to the same point. I have no wish to be a lady. I was happy as a poor girl, picking up pebbles and grinding them. Mother, my heart is full of Jack. I cannot endure that this wrong should have been done him.'
'What!' asked Mrs. Marley, looking up with a dark shadow in her eyes, 'you will tell him all?'
'No—that, never.'
'A girl in love is a fool; she blabs everything.'
'I can be silent. I shall not utter a word. What would it profit me to say to him, Jack, you might be rich, but are poor, because we have got your money. I am dressed out with coin that should be yours. I am pushed with your money into a position in life above that to which I was born. What would he think of me and of you if I were to say this? I cannot possibly tell him my shame and yours. For your sake I will not. No—never!'