'We are English too,' said Esther, sighing.
'Therefore you ought to be glad I am going.'
But Esther's cheek only grew a shade paler.
'Will you keep up your studies, like a good girl?'
'I will try.'
'And send me a drawing now and then, to let me see how you are getting on?'
She lifted her eyes to him again, for one of those grave, appealing looks. 'How could I get it to you?'
'Your father will have my address. I shall write to him, and I shall write to you.'
She made no answer. The things filling her heart were too many for it, and too strong; there came no tears, but her breathing was laboured; and her brow was dark with what seemed a mountain of oppression. Pitt was half-glad that just now there came a call for Esther from the room behind them. Both went in. The colonel wanted Esther to search in a repository of papers for a certain English print of some months back.
'Well, my boy,' said he, 'are you off?'