'I suppose it is true,' said Esther, withdrawing her hand. 'Now,' she thought, 'he is going to tell me about his bride and his marriage.' And she rather wished she could be spared that special communication. At the same time, the wondering speculation seized her again, whether Betty Frere, as she had seen her, was likely to prove a good helpmeet for this man.
'You suppose it is true? There can be no doubt about that, I think, for the man. How is it for the woman?'
'I have never studied the question,' said Esther. 'By what people say, the man is the more independent of the two when he is young, and the woman when she is old.'
'Neither ought to be independent of the other!'
'They seldom are,' said Esther, feeling inclined to laugh, although not in the least merry. Pitt was silent a few minutes, evidently revolving something in his mind.
'You said you had two rooms unoccupied,' he began at last. 'I want to be some little time in New York yet; will you let me move into them?'
'You!' exclaimed Esther.
'Yes,' he said, looking at her steadfastly. 'You do not want them,—and
I do.'
'I do not believe they would suit you, Pitt,' said Esther, consumed with secret wonder.
'I am sure no other could suit me half so well!'